PRAYERS 



THE USE OF FAMILIES, 



SELECTION OF HYMNS. 



PRAYERS 



THE USE OF FAMILIES, 



CHIEFLY SELECTED 



FROM VARIOUS AUTHORS; 



TOGETHER WITH 

A SELECTION OF HYMNS. 

BY ALBERT BARNES. 

A 

PHILADELPHIA: 

PUBLISHED BY CLARK & RASER, 

No. 60, Dock Street. 

1833. 






Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1833, by John C. Clark, 
in the Clerk's Office of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



/&fS. 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



The following Selection of Prayers and Hymns, 
has been made for the aid of those heads of families 
who believe family devotion to be a duty, but who are 
deterred from it by diffidence, or by supposed want 
of ability. In the Preliminary Essay I have endea- 
voured to show the importance of the duty, and to 
meet the usual excuses made for neglecting it. One 
of these excuses is the plea of the want of ability. To 
meet that, as far as lies in my power, has been the 
main design of this selection. In meeting it, free use 
has been made of all the helps to family devotion 
within my reach. Alterations have been made where 
they were deemed to be desirable, and especially 
made to render the prayers as simple and direct as 
possible. A few additions have been made to adapt 
them to our times, and especially to Sunday Schools, 
and to the great efforts of Christian benevolence to 
fill the earth with the gospel. These additions are 
indicated at the beginning and the end by a small 
asterisk. And as praise may be made a most impor- 
tant, and interesting part of family devotion, a selec- 
tion of Hymns has been added especially adapted to 
this design. As no such selections came within my 
reach, I have made this from various authors, and in 
the best manner that I was able, with the helps to 
which I have had access. The Selection has been 

A 2 



VI ADVERTISEMENT. 

made from the " Church Psalmody/' by Messrs. Ma- 
son and Green; from the General Assembly's Psalms 
and Hymns; the "Village Hymns;" " Sacred Ly- 
rics," by Mr. Beman; Dr. D wight's Psalms and 
Hymns; and Hymns by Dr. Alexander. The book is 
committed to the blessing of God, with the prayer 
that it may be one of the aids by which the great 
ends of the family organization may be secured; and 
a means by which the worship of God may be ex- 
tended and perpetuated amidst the families of this 
land. A. B. 



Philadelphia, Feb. 5, 1833. 



CONTENTS. 





Page 


Preliminary Essay 


. 13 


Morning and Evening Prayers. 


First week 


. 56 


Second week 


. 90 


Third week 


. 122 


Fourth week 


. 153 


Fifth week 


. 183 



Prayers and Thanksgivings for 
Particular Occasions. 

Last Evening of the Old 
Year .... 

First Morning of the New 
Year 

For Christmas Day (Morn- 
ing) .... 

For Christmas Day (Even- 
ing) .... 

For a Sacrament Sabbath 
(Morning) 

For a Sacrament Sabbath 
(Evening) 

Fast Day (Morning) 
„ (Evening) 

In Time of Pestilence 

For Rain 

For Fair Weather 

Under Family Affliction . 



210 
213 



216 



218 

221 

223 
225 

228 
231 
ib. 
232 
233 



Page 
For a Sick Child . . 236 
Under Dangerous Sickness 237 
For One Dying . . 239 
The Evening after a Fune- 
ral .... 240 
Mourning for the Loss of 
Relatives and Friends . 242 

The Seasons — 

Spring . . . 244 

Summer . . . ib. 

Autumn . . . 245 
Winter . .246 

For a Day of Thanksgiving 

(Morning) . . . 246 

For a Day of Thanksgiving 

(Evening) ... 248 

Thanksgiving for Rain after 
a Drought . . .251 

For Fair Weather after Rain ib. 

For a Good Harvest ib. 

For the Restoration of Plen- 
ty .... 252 

For a safe Return from a 

Journey . . . ib. 

For Recovery from Sick- 
ness .... 253 

Prayers at Table . . 254 



INDEX TO THE HYMNS. 



Morning Hymns . . 257 

Evening Hymns . . 263 

Saturday Night . . 271 

Morning or Evening . 272 

Family Religion . . 274 

Sabbath Morning . . 278 

Sabbath Evening . . 285 

For the Beginning of the 

Year . . . .287 

The Close of the Year . 290 



The Seasons . . .291 
The Spread of the Gospel 299 

Early Piety . . .307 

Miscellaneous . . 312 

The Holy Scriptures . 321 

Afflictions and Death . 324 

Time and Eternity . 330 

The Judgment . . 333 

Heaven . . . .337 



INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 



Awake, my soul, and with the sun 257 

Awake my drowsy soul 260 

Another day is past 266 

Author of good, to thee we turn 276 

. 280 

. 282 

.- . . . ib. 

. 290 

. 306 

. 314 

. 334 



Another six days' work is done 
Awake our drowsy souls 
Again the Lord of life and light 
And now my soul, another year 
All hail the great Immanuel's name 
Am I a soldier of the cross 
And must this body die 



B 

Begone, my worldly cares, away 271 

Blest be the tie that binds 274 

Blest are the sons of peace ....... 275 

Bless'd morning, whose young dawning rays . . . 284 

Behold the morning sun 323 



Come let us join with sweet accord 
Come, dearest Lord, and bless the day 
Come let us anew . . _ . 

Children, to your Creator, God 
Come let us now forget our mirth 
Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove 
Cease, ye mourners, cease to languish 

D 

Dread Sov'reign, let my ev'ning song 
Day of judgment — day of wonders 



281 

ib. 
289 
308 
309 
317 
324 



264 
336 



Eternal God ! 1 bless thy name 
Eternity is just at hand 



288 
333 



Father, by saints on earth ador'd 
Father of all, thy care we bless 
Frequent the day of God returns 



268 
274 



INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 



IX 



From Greenland's icy mountains . 
From all that dwell below the skies 
From earliest dawn of life 



PAGE 

302 
307 
309 



God of the morning, at thy voice 
God of my life, my morning song 
Great God ! my early vows to thee 
Great God, to thee my ev'ning song 
Glory to tliee, my God, this night 
God of our fathers, by whose hand 
Great God! this sacred day of thine 
Great God, we sing thy mighty hand 
God of our life, thy various praise 
Great God, at thy command 
Great Saviour, let thy power divine 
Great Sun of righteousness arise . 
Guide me, O, thou great Jehovah 
Great God, whose universal sway 
Great God, I own thy sentence just 



H 

Hosanna with a cheerful sound 

Hail happy day ! thou day of holy rest 

Hark the voice of love and mercy 

Hark — that shout of rapturous joy 

How pleasant 'tis to see 

How still and peaceful is the grave 

How pleasing is the voice 

How soft the words my Saviour speaks 

How vain are all things here below 

Hail sacred truth ! whose piercing eyes 

Here, precious Lord, the sacred word . 

How shall the young secure their hearts 

How bless'd the righteous when he dies 

Hear what the voice from heaven proclaims 

How still and peaceful is the grave 

How blest is our brother bereft 

How short and hasty is our life 

Heav'n is the land where troubles cease 



I 

Indulgent God, whose bounteous care 

Indulgent Father, by whose care . 

In mercy Lord, remember me 

Inspirer and hearer of prayer 

In all my vast concerns with thee 

In this calm impressive hour 

Is there a time when moments flow 

I love to steal awhile away 



INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 



PAGE 



I love thy kingdom. Lord . 305 

I send the joys of earth away 317 



Jesus shall reign where'er the sun 304 

Jesus, lover of my soul 318 



Lord, thou wilt hear me when 1 pray 271 

Lo ! what an everlasting sight 275 

Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear 278 

Let Zion praise the mighty God 297 

Let all the earth their voices raise . 305 

Life is the time to serve the Lord 331 

Lo ! he comes with clouds descending .... 334 

M 

My God, how endless is thy love 272 

My God, accept my early vows 273 

My few revolving years 290 

My son, know thou the Lord 309 

N 

Now the shades of night are gone 263 

Now from labour and from care 267 

Now in the heat of youthful blood . . . . .307 

O 

Once more, my soul, the rising day . . . . . 257 

O Lord, how many are my foes 259 

Once more my eyes behold the day 262 

O Lord, another day is flown 269 

On thee each morning, O my God 273 

On God the race of man depends 296 

Oh where shall Afric's sable sons 300 

O'er the gloomy hills of darkness 301 

O for a closer walk with God ...... 320 

Oppress'd with guilt and full of fears .... 322 

O for the death of those 329 

Oh, where shall rest be found 337 

Oh for a sweet, inspiring ray . . . . . . 338 

P 

Pleasing spring again is here . . . . . . 294 

R 

Religion is the chief concern 310 

Rise, my soul, and stretch thy wings 318 



INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 



XI 



Softly now the light of day . 
Saviour, breathe an evening blessing 
Safely through another week 
Soon as the morning rays appear . 
Safely through another week 
Sweet is the time of spring . 
Stern winter throws his icy chains 
Sing to the Lord, exalt him high 
Saviour, visit thy plantation 
Sovereign of worlds above 
Sovereign of worlds, display thy power 
Salvation, O the joyful sound 
Show pity Lord, O Lord forgive 
Stretch' d on the cross the Saviour dies 
Sweet is the scene when Christians die 
Shine on our souls, eternal God 



Thou that dost my life prolong 
Thou, gracious Lord, art my defence 
Thrice happy souls, who born of heaven 
Thus far the Lord has led me on . 
The day is past and gone 
The night shall hear me raise my song 
Thou, Lord, through every changing scene 
Thine earthly Sabbaths, Lord, we love 
The flow'ry spring at God's command 
.The winter is over and gone 
To praise the ever bounteous Lord 
[The Lord is good, the heavenly king 
'Twas for my sins my dearest Lord 
'Twas by an order from the Lord . 
[That once lov'd form now cold and dead 
I The grave is now a favour'd spot . 
'Tis finish'd, the conflict is pass'd 
"The time is short ! Sinners beware 
Thee we adore, eternal Name 
nTo-morrow, Lord, is thine 
That awful day will surely come 
There is an hour of hallow'd peace 
! There is a land of pure delight 
There is an hour of" peaceful rest . 



W 



We lift our hearts to thee 
Welcome sweet day of rest . 
Welcome delightful morn 
When on the third auspicious day 
While with ceaseless course the sun 
When verdure clothes the fertile vale 
: With songs and honours sounding loud 



Xll 



INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 



Who but thou, Almighty Spirit 
Wake the Song of Jubilee 
While in the tender years of youth 
With humble heart and tongue 
Whilst thee I seek, protecting Power 
When I survey the wondrous cross 
When blooming youth is snatch'd away 
Why do we mourn departing friends 
When I can read my title clear 



302 
307 
308 
311 
312 
313 
328 
ib. 
339 



Ye lovely bands of blooming youth 
Yes, we trust the day is breaking 



310 
319 



^wlimimvg TEunxg on jFamtlg ^va#zv. 



to parents: 



I wish, in this Preliminary Essay, to make a candid 
appeal to parents on the duty of family prayer. In do- 
ing this, I shall assume but one thing as a conceded 
point — a thing which may commonly, at least, be as- 
sumed without danger of error. It is, that you feel a deep 
interest in the welfare of your children; and are willing 
to make use of any proper means to promote their hap- 
piness. This point I assume, because the God of nature 
has so constituted us, that as a great universal rule pa- 
rents will love their children; and because no small part 
of their exertions are called forth with express, and al- 
most sole reference to their present and future bliss. 
You who are parents, will instantly run over in your 
minds, many most tender and affecting scenes of watch- 
fulness, care, anxiety, sleeplessness, and toil, to provide 
for their wants, alleviate their pains, defend them from 
danger, and train them for future respectability and 
happiness. The tenderest emotions in your bosoms now, 
relate to them. Your deepest interest is to see them 
virtuous, amiable, happy. You would run to their re- 
lief in danger, and deny yourself of ease to alleviate 
their pains in sickness. Your brightest visions of fu- 
ture bliss in this world are connected with their wel- 
fare. The loveliest view in the future, is when they 
stand forth, pure and happy, in bold relief, — single, or 

B 



1 4 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

in lovely groups. The chief solace in the prospect of 
your future trials; in the anticipated days of feebleness 
and pain, and in the imbecility and weariness of advanc- 
ing age; is that a son will live to bless you by his toil, 
or to cheer your last days by his virtues; or that a 
daughter, lovely and tender, shall come around your 
bed, and mingle her tears with yours, and catch your 
last breath, and with a gentle hand close your eyes as 
you sink into the long sleep of death. I wish to show 
you that family prayer will be one of the most impor- 
tant helps in meeting your wishes in regard to your 
children. And in doing this, I invite your attention, in 
the 

1st place, to the design of the family organization. 
God might have fitted up a world of independent indi- 
viduals, bound by no common sympathies; cheered by 
no common joys; impelled by no common wants. All 
that is tender in parental and filial affection; all that is 
mild, bland, peaceful in love; and all that is sympa- 
thetic in sorrow, and in joy; might have been denied 
us. Solitary beings, we might have wept alone, re- 
joiced alone, thought alone, died alone. The sun might 
have shed his beams around our lonely rambles, and 
not a mortal have felt an interest in our bliss or wo. 
Man might have lived unbenefited by the experience 
of his ancestors; and with none to shed a tear around 
the bed of moss on which he would recline in disease, 
and where unwept he would die. But this is not the 
way which he has chosen. He has made the race one 
great brotherhood — and we feel some interest at least, 
in the obscurest man that seeks a shelter beneath a 
rock, or that finds a home in a tent, or in a cave. " I 
am a man, and I regard nothing pertaining to man as 
unimportant to me" — was the language of an ancient 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 15 

dramatist, and a heathen theatre rang with plaudits at 
the noble sentiment. This great brotherhood God has 
broken up into communities of nations, and clans, and 
tribes, and families, and neighbourhoods; each with its 
own set of sympathies; with peculiar interests; with 
peculiar resources. One design is, to divide our sor- 
rows by sympathetic emotions. Another, to double 
our joys by imparting them to others who sympathize 
with us. Sorrow hath not half its pangs when you can 
mingle your tears with those of a friend; and joy has 
not diffused half its blessings until your joy has lighted 
up the countenance of a father, or touched the sympa- 
thies of a brother or a sister. 

This organization will be seen at once to be eminent- 
ly adapted to religion. On no subject have we so many 
sympathies as in the great business pertaining to our 
eternal welfare. I look on a family circle. What tender 
feelings! what mutual love! what common joys! what 
united sorrows! The blow that strikes one member, 
reaches all. The joy that lights up one countenance, 
diffuses its blessings over all. Together they bend over 
a sick member; together they rejoice at his recovery; 
or together they bow their heads and weep, and go sad 
to his grave. They are plunged into the same aposta- 
cy. They are together under the fearful visitations of 
that malady which has travelled down from Paradise 
lost. They are going to a common tomb; and over the 
circle shines the same sunbeams of hope; and the 
same balm of Gilead,and the same great Physician may 
diffuse health, peace and salvation there. Cheered with 
the hopes of the same immortality, they may travel to 
the tomb; and the joy in religion that beams from a fa- 
ther's eye, may be reflected from the happy faces of 
beloved sons and daughters. The whole organization 



16 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

is clearly one of the most profound and wise in this 
world, to deepen, extend, and perpetuate the principles 
of the Christian religion. Of this any one may be sa- 
tisfied who will for a moment compare the facilities of 
deepening and prolonging the feelings of religion under 
all the advantages of the family sympathy, compared 
with what it would and must be if the earth were te- 
nanted by isolated and independent individuals. God 
designed the organization with reference to all that is 
pure, and lovely in man; and in fact he has at all times 
made the family organization one of the most important 
facilities for extending, and perpetuating religious feel- 
ing. 

The question now arises, whether the full benefits of 
this organization can be accomplished without the aid 
of family devotion? In answer to this, you will see at 
once, that the neglect of religion as a family, will be to 
break in upon the whole design of the organization, so 
far as religion is concerned, and to throw every member 
upon his own individual strength and responsibilities. 
That is, to separate religion from all other things, and 
deny it the aid which is rendered to every other object 
which you wish to promote — the aid derived from the 
sympathies of the domestic alliance, and the endear- 
ments of the family circle. You call in this aid when 
you wish to promote other commendable designs — when 
you would prompt to industry, to learning, to morals, 
to esteem; and you withhold this aid in the greatest 
and most important matter that can ever press on the 
attention of your sons and daughters, and make their 
religion to be a cold, isolated, independent matter, in 
which they receive no sympathy from you; and where 
they are rudely put back from all the tender sympathies 
which divide their sorrows, and joys, in all their other 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 17 

interests. We all know the power of alliance and con- 
federation. It is the way in which good and evil ever 
have been, and ever must be, propagated in this world. 
Solitary, undivided efforts avail little, and from the na- 
ture of the case must avail little. This is understood 
by all men. He who wishes to rouse his country- 
men to arms, does it by an appeal to the social princi- 
ple, and seeks confederated talents and valour. Indivi- 
dual and unorganized efforts would do little in the day 
when men struggle for freedom. Hence they seek to 
pour on the battle field combined talent, and organized 
and compacted energy. So in great deeds of evil. The 
drunkard, the profligate, the infidel, the pirate, seeks 
alliance and desires confederation in the enormous 
deeds of guilt which are contemplated and planned. 
In the same way, if religion is to be spread, it must be 
by the same alliance and confederation. It must be by 
bringing combined powers to act on combined ills and 
dangers. It is designed to be done by calling in all the 
aid of the family confederation; by appealing to all the 
authority and venerableness of a father; the tender love 
of a mother; the silken cords which bind sons and daugh- 
ters in common love, and in common hopes. This is 
clearly one great design of the organization. Religion 
brings one of the most obvious and plain appeals which 
can ever be made to the family sympathies. It has 
more that is adapted to the family compact; more that 
carries forward the tender family sympathies; and more 
that will consolidate and cement the alliance, than 
any other subject that can be presented to the little 
community. — Yet to secure this, it is clear that it must 
be primary and prominent in the family doings. It 
must occupy a place that shall be obvious and often 
b 2 






18 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

seen. It must be often presented; and the strength 
and tenderness of the family emotions must be often 
brought to bear upon it. I shall attempt to show that 
this can never be done without family prayer. Indeed, 
it is almost so clear as not to admit of argument. The 
force of the organization — the power of all the sympa- 
thies in the family, cannot be made to bear on it, except 
by daily acts, in which the whole community shall bow 
with united feelings before the God of grace. 

II. I proceed to remark, 2dly, that family worship is 
one of the most direct and obvious means of meeting 
the evils to which the family is exposed. The design 
of the family organization is well understood — at least 
all parents have some great ends which they are endea- 
vouring to reach by it. Whatever these ends may be, 
it will be assumed that they contemplate education, 
restraint, guidance, defence from danger, preparation 
for future years. You regard your children as exposed 
to dangers; subject to passions which demand control; 
liable to headlong and dangerous propensities, which 
need, in the earliest years, to be met and restrained. 
The world is setting in upon them even in very early 
life, like a mist from the ocean, with a full tide of in- 
fluences, which you desire to resist. You know there 
are a thousand opinions and habits among men from 
which you would gladly restrain your children. Pious 
you may not be; but you would be willing to see them 
walking in the paths of wisdom. You know that there 
are vices to which they are exposed; and they may 
meet with companions which would ruin them; and 
that they will soon be beyond your control; and you 
would throw around them a panoply which should 
shield them from evil. You seek that the influence of 
a father and mother may be prolonged, and live even 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 19 

when you may lie in the grave. You would give to 
yourself a kind of omnipresent influence, that your ex- 
ample and precepts at least may speak when they are 
away from you, or when your tongue may no more be 
able to give utterance to the precepts of experience, or 
to the tenderness of parental love. 

Now contemplate for a moment the influences from 
the world, against which a parent would guard. 

There is, first, the influence of formed plans and em- 
ployments. The schemes of yesterday travel over the 
night watches, and meet them in the morning. They 
are still under the influence of the world which they 
met yesterday. Their schemes may not be complete. 
The world which they saw before they retired to rests 
the opinions which they heard; the temptations which 
they met, shall put forth new power in the freshness of 
the morning. The charm has not been dissolved by 
the slumbers of the night. The forming habits have 
not been crushed, or even slept, while they have sought 
repose. The influence of the world which you feared 
yesterday, will meet them again in the morning. The 
enemy that made advances, did not lose his hold, or 
even slumber while they reposed. The ever sleepless 
foe is strengthening his power, riveting the chains, and 
making his prisoner sure. Can there be any way so 
likely to break in upon this influence, as by a solemn 
presentation in the morning, to the God of grace; to 
bring in the parental power, and suffer them to see that 
you are influenced by better things; and to bring down 
all the sacredness of the religious feeling, to arrest and 
annihilate this malignant influence? 

A second influence from the world, results from your 
own plans, and views, which they see from day to day, 
and with which they are becoming increasingly in- 






20 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

formed and familiar. They see what engrosses your 
thoughts. They know what is in your heart. You are 
encompassing them with a set of influences in your 
family, and plans, which is each day determining their 
views of the relative value of objects. If religion has 
no place — no obvious, seen, and prominent place, in 
those plans, they will understand it; and they will learn 
what to think of it. Let the pleasures of living be all; 
or the gains of traffic be all; or adorning be all; or the 
first and last energies in your house, and your conversa- 
tion be to grasp the world, and your children will be 
among the first of mortals to comprehend your whole 
character. Other men may learn it slowly. Your chil- 
dren will learn it at once. And to-day shall deepen the 
lesson of yesterday, and to-morrow shall write it with 
the pen of a diamond on their hearts. Can there be any 
way of meeting this influence so direct, and decided, as 
by a solemn presentation of them to God, in the morn- 
ing and evening; and by thus leaving on them the deep- 
fixed impression, that though engaged of necessity in the 
world, yet that you are not unmindful of better things, 
and that your first and last thoughts are given unto God? 
This act will shed a new influence over all your doings. 
It will teach the child that your worldly plans are not 
primary, or all. It will satisfy him that your toils for 
gain are the result of necessity, and duty; not of idola- 
trous choice. It will show that religion is the deep volun- 
tary preference of your soul; excited not by selfishness 
and interest, but by love and a conviction of its truth 
and importance; and though your ardour in worldly 
achievement should be little varied, yet all your efforts 
will assume to their view a new direction, and put on a 
new aspect. 

A third influence which your children are to meet. 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 21 

that needs a guardian power, is that which proceeds 
from other men, and other families — from the name- 
less attractions, and seductions, that go forth each day 
from the world. Of this you can know nothing defi- 
nite. Your family go forth to encounter you know not 
what. You know not what new and untried scenes of 
temptation they shall meet before the shades of even- 
ing descend around them. You know not what new 
baits and allurements the world shall present, when 
they are away from the watchful parental eye. You 
know not how attractive some form of evil shall appear 
to them — how it shall appeal to youthful passion, or 
dance in delightful vision before the mind just awake 
to the sentiments of pleasure, vanity, or ambition. 
Long since you passed through such scenes, and you 
know their power. You felt their danger, and you 
would guard your children from the seductive influ- 
ence. To you of riper years, and wisdom, there may 
be no danger. To them, all is fresh, attractive, lovely, 
like the first light of a morning, without mists or pesti- 
lential vapours. They know not the dangers; and are 
slow to learn. Still further, you little know what 
companions they may meet with, before the evening. 
The spendthrift, the profligate, the infidel — the young 
man, profane, flippant, confident, polished, yet disso- 
lute; or the aged man skilled in the cunning of unbe- 
lief, and knowing each avenue to the youthful heart, 
may meet him, and in a moment undo the slow work 
of parental instruction of many years. 

Now I submit it to you, whether there can be any so 
effectual safeguard against this, as family devotion? I 
do not affirm that it will be infallible. But I ask 
whether any influence can be formed so likely to shield 
from these dangers, as the solemnity of an invocation 



22 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

of the presence and blessing of God; and the expecta- 
tion of a similar solemn presentation in the evening. 
It is a kind of familiarizing the mind in early life, to the 
judgment seat of God. It is a species of arraignment 
there each day, to suffer His all-seeing eye to rest on 
each thought and deed. That God hears prayer: and 
that God is every where. To him, it is as easy to 
guard your child when away from your roof, as when 
the eye of the earthly father is upon him. That God 
will see each temptation; mark each alluring influence; 
go before each child in the hour of danger; and re- 
strain the power of the tempter. He can impress pa- 
rental precept on the soul; and when the theatre, or 
the tavern, or the gambling place allures, the power of 
God unseen, can freshen in his memory the precepts of 
a father, and recall the expressed wishes, and the plead- 
ings of a mother. All the influences in this world are 
under his control; nor can there be any way so effectual 
of meeting them as to secure the favour of that God 
who can give them a direction to virtue and to heaven. 
Greatly do I wonder, that in a world of temptations 
like this, and at a period of life so exposed as that of 
childhood and youth, any parent dare suffer his chil- 
dren to go forth into the allurements of a city, or a 
wicked world, without having once asked the Father 
of mercies to take them beneath his protecting care, 
and to defend them from the ills that may bring ruin 
into their souls; and wo, deep and inconsolable, into 
your own bosom. And much do I marvel, that any 
parent can send them forth upon the ocean of life — 
amid the billows that break around the frail bark, and 
never seek for them the protection of that God who 
rides upon that ocean. And I wonder much that you 
can fail to implore the help of Him, who, when your 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 23 

eye shall sleep in death, and the child shall walk over 
your unconscious grave, can stretch forth a hand more 
mighty than yours, and speak with a voice more tender 
than yours, to save him from the ways of ruin and de- 
spair. And much do I wonder also, that there is rest to 
your pillow, when you have offered no sacrifice of praise 
to God for preserving mercy, and sought no protection 
from him whose eye never slumbers nor sleeps. 

III. I remark, thirdly, that the direct influence of 
devotion in obtaining the ends of the family organiza- 
tion, may be, and should be incalculably great. I mean 
the influence in all those great interests which you are 
i endeavouring to secure. One of these is family govern- 
t ment — a thing, which to be efficient, must be mild, 
I steady, consistent, firm. There are two ways of go- 
verning a family. One is with the rod of a tyrant, and 
! the rage of the furies; by cold, unfeeling statute, and 
I never-ending reproof; by passion, and fire, and wrath. 
I: The other is by love, and tenderness, and discipline, 
j administered with calmness, and yet with a faithful 
i hand — by calling into exercise all that is tender in the 
1 social affections — all the budding and blossoming in- 

■ genuousness of the child — -by the aid of conscience and 
i of reason— and by severity only when other means 
1 fail; and then suffering the feelings of the father to be 

, seen, at the same time that the firmness of the ruler 
i shows itself to the child. The one is modelled on the 
( plan which tyrants choose; the other is the plan of 
i God. The one shuts God out of view; the other is 

■ like him, and borrows its features from the Divinity. 
I And this one truth is established, and will yet be better 
( known — that the model of a proper domestic adminis- 
i tration is God in his moral government — and is a 

bringing down the great principles in which he acts, to 



24 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

bear on the smaller community over which presides an 
earthly father. Now I think I am warranted in affirm- 
ing, that no father will be likely to embody these prin- 
ciples and express them, without prayer. They are 
not to be possessed without it. No man can under- 
stand the principles, on which God governs men, with- 
out that familiarity with him, which results from 
prayer. No man can keep this great plan before him, 
without that close and pressing converse and contact 
with God, which exists in solemn devotion. And on a 
father's own spirit, there will be no so happy restraint 
as that imposed by family intercession. Anger and 
passion, ill become the bosom of the man who has 
just been engaged in a solemn presentation of his 
family to the God of love. And wrath, and anger, flee 
away, when we know that soon we are to bend together 
before a common altar. 

Besides, there is no way so direct of giving autho- 
rity, and sanction to your commands, as by family de- 
votion. Whatever will increase the venerableness of 
the paternal character, will, of course, impress his laws 
with additional sanctions, and power. Now, it is clear 
to my mind, that there can be no way of doing this so 
effective, as by connecting the image of a father in the 
mind of a child, with the sacredness of religion. Let 
him be regarded by them as the venerable priest of the 
family, to bow before the altar, and speak their wants 
into the ears of God — the converser with the Deity — the 
invoker of heaven's blessings on the community — the 
venerable organ through whom the sought blessings of 
heaven, will descend on them, and a sanction is given 
to his laws and opinions, which you will gain in no 
other mode. It is not easy to treat the man with dis- 
respect, who is known often to approach the throne of 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 25 

grace; — sacred by such an approach — and who is 
known to approach that throne only to obtain heaven's 
blessings on us. At all times, the ministers of religion 
have been regarded with respect, and there is no way 
so effectual of securing esteem in your family, as by 
suffering it to be seen daily, that you are a friend of 
God— a converser with the Deity"— and that you are in- 
vested not only with the character of a father, but with 
the additional venerableness of being the priest of the 
family, and presenting their wants and feelings to the 
King of kings. 

Thus, too, by your example, you shall correct and 
adjust their views of the world. More effectually than 
by any lessons, you shall teach them your sense of the 
value of earthly objects. Time, gold, pleasure, can- 
not be esteemed to be all, when the first and the last 
thoughts of the day are given to God. Nor can your 
children, in advancing years, go forth so easily to the 
: undivided pursuit of gain and pleasure, when they 
know that a father and a mother, at the altar, have ex- 
ij pressed their views of the value of these things. It 
f will check the wantonness of worldly pursuits; it will 
t come into the pleasures of the ball-room and the thea- 
tre, with a chilling influence on all those delights, if the 
|j thought then crosses the bosom of the son or daughter 
3 that at this late hour, parental feelings are expressed 
i at the family altar, and a father and mother bow be- 
5 fore God, to implore his blessing on thoughtless sons 
9 and daughters. ' I should be there, will be the instinc- 
}i tive language of the heart; my place is not amid these 
t scenes of vanity, when a parent seeks God; and these 

scenes can afford no permanent joy, against whose ma- 
a lignant influence a parent prays, and to guard me from 

1 c 



26 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

which a parent now implores the protection of the eye 
and arm of God.' Such prayers are often heard. And 
even while it is fresh breathing from the lips of pious 
parentage, the serious thought, the painful misgiving 
of the child in the place of pleasure, may be already 
an answer to prayer, and the purpose may even then be 
forming to forsake forever such scenes, and seek peace 
and joy in the endearments of the fire-side and of home. 
Let me add, too, that such amusements find their 
support, with few — few exceptions, from the children 
of families who never pray; and this devotion in all 
our habitations, would at once close our theatres, and 
no small part of the haunts of vice and ruin. 

You will pass, also, into scenes of affliction. You 
will go down into a dark valley, and turbid waters shall 
roll at your feet, and a sunless sky shall be over your 
head. A son, a daughter, may die. Calamity may 
strip away your property; and slander may asperse 
your name; and the waves of trouble may roll high and 
mighty over your habitation. Your pillow may give 
you no rest; and the deep calamity may spread weep- 
ing and wo through all your house. In such scenes 
who is he that is to be calm? Who to stand like 
Mount Atlas," when storms and tempests thunder on its 
brow, and oceans break their billows at its feet" un- 
moved? Who to allay the swelling tide of grief, and be 
a counsellor and an example there? Who to wipe away 
the tears from the weeping eyes of children, and pour, 
under God, consolation there? Who but the father at 
the family altar — the venerable guide and friend of the 
little community— he whose heart may bleed like others 
— for he felt the stroke more keenly than all, when his 
son or daughter died; but who still can gather the 
weeping group before God, and calmly say, " not our 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 27 

will but thine, O God, be done?" And if he cannot do 
this; if he be first in agony, and a stranger to consola- 
tion, and shall murmur at the stroke, and refuse to be 
comforted, who knows not the effect on the family? 
Grief will deepen and prolong its reign, and sorrow 
there shall have no comforter. Yet how shall this be 
done? Who does not see that the habit of daily seeking 
God, of acknowledging him in all the ways of the fa- 
mily, is the only mode of meeting this grief, and sooth- 
ing these bitter pains of life? Family devotion shall 
change the storm to peace, and open a pathway through 
all these clouds; and beyond the region of these mut- 
tering thunders, in that upper sky, the splendours of an 
eternal day are still seen, and it shall be felt that there 
is peace. 

I add here, one other remark. There are times when 
your children think — deeply think, of the subject of re- 
ligion. They inquire what they must do to be saved. 
They are pressed with the great truths of eternity, and 
they desire to know the path that leads to immortality. 
Every parent knows that such thoughts are right; 
and that their first days are their best days, to attend to 
the concerns of the soul. And few are the parents 
who would not express a desire that these serious 
thoughts should ripen into the settled peace and purity 
of the Christian. They are the sweet openings of the 
buds of spring, the putting forth of lovely flowers, and 
may be nurtured to produce a rich harvest of piety. 
How shall this be done? what will be the most effectual 
deepener and promoter of these feelings? It is clear 
that if the object of the parent was to secure the as- 
cendency of these feelings, no way could be found so 
effectual as daily religion in the family. Let the child 
see that his seriousness has the countenance of a father 



28 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

and mother — that it falls in with their views, and ac- 
cords with their most deep desires — that to cherish 
these feelings would be to pour balm into their bosoms, 
and to fill their lips with praise — that there is an altar 
for the morning and evening sacrifice to deepen them, 
and there is no earthly influence that could be so ef- 
fectual to ripen these feelings into the love of God. 
It seems to be a power expressly organized to accom- 
plish this great work on the soul of the child. And on 
the other hand, let there be no family altar, and no sa- 
crifice of praise in the habitation, and it is easy to see 
what is to be the result on the mind of a child anxious 
about his eternal welfare. True, he feels, and deeply 
feels. He prays, he trembles, he weeps. He lifts the 
eye to heaven in a state of deep anxiety, and waits for a 
guide to conduct him to the Saviour of men. The 
world to him is losing its charms. Temptation is 
shorn of its power. Fashion, wealth, and splendour, 
are dimmed of their lustre, and the spirit pants for im- 
mortality — for brighter peace, — more perennial joys 
than this world can give. What is demanded then to 
fill the whole soul with peace? What but the family altar 
— the deep seriousness of religion there — the pleading 
father, the bending circle, seeking for common salva- 
tion? And if there be no such altar, how cold and chill 
all that influence in a family. If the world be all, and 
fashion only has its seat there, or wealth is the grand 
object, or a mother's lips invite to the theatre or the 
ball-room, and never speak of prayer; and a father's 
hand guides only to scenes of gain or ambition, who 
can fail to see the result? How soon all seriousness 
shall disappear! How soon the Spirit of God shall be 
grieved ! How soon a new current will be given to the 
affections, and the Son of God be shut from the view, and 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 29 

the Prince of darkness establish again his broken and 
enfeebled reign. Stronger fetters shall bind the cap- 
tive to the chariot of the dark monarch of despair; and 
all the influence of a family be imparted to prolong his 
empire over the soul. And if to this we add what may, 
and does often exist, in a family without prayer, cold and 
cutting remarks about religion; perversion of its doc- 
trines and duties; derision of the work of God in saving 
man; apparent respect, but real sarcasm, the work is 
done, and the enemy of man has gained his object. The 
most sad narrative, perhaps, that could be penned in 
this world, would be the history of families who have 
thus stifled the serious thoughts of children, and driven 
back by neglect or derision, the Son of God advancing 
to take possession of the human heart. For the wealth of 
the Indies I would not come into the secret of such fa- 
milies; nor hazard the loss and ruin which might ac- 
crue to my children in days of seriousness, by the ne- 
glect of family prayer. There are times when the ne- 
glect of this plain and obvious duty, may seal the cha- 
racter of a child, and mark his course forever onward 
in the ways of sin and of hell. 

IV. My fourth argument on this subject will be de- 
rived from the fact, that without family prayer, there 
will be no religious teaching in a family that will be 
effectual. This proposition I maintain by the following 
considerations. 1. The duty of family worship is one 
of the most obvious that strikes a child; and especially 
if an attempt is made to instruct that child in the prin- 
ciples of religion. Other duties he may not so readily 
understand; but this is one which is plain and apparent. 
He sees it; and sees it clearly. There is something so 
unnatural in constantly receiving benefits without ac- 
knowledging them; in being protected, and provided 
c 2 






30 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

for, from day to day, and week to week, and year to 
year, without any recognition of the kind unseen hand 
that does it, that the mind even of a child cannot but 
be struck with it. If he who experiences a father's and 
mother's tenderness from year to year, should by no 
act express his sense of obligation, he would be con- 
scious of something exceedingly ungrateful, and una- 
miable in his character. And he cannot but feel that 
something of the same kind must attach itself to his 
father and mother. Especially is this the case, if you 
attempt to teach him religion^ to show him the duty of 
thanksgiving to yourself, or to Godj and to set before 
him the evil of ingratitude. Vile, and mean, and odious, 
he may easily be made to see ingratitude to be. His 
natural honesty, and ingenuousness, may easily be ex- 
cited to indignation and scorn at the base feelings of 
the recipient of favours, who repays them with thought- 
lessness and unconcern. But are you not in doing this, 
teaching him to frame an argument against yourself? 
1 If to be ungrateful be a trait of character so unlovely, 
then why is it that no gratitude is expressed to God, 
amid the many mercies of my father's house? How are 
his teachings about the evil of ingratitude in me, to be 
reconciled with entire amiableness in his deportment 
toward God? And if he can live from year to year, and 
exercise no gratitude to his great Benefactor, then why 
is my character to be esteemed so unlovely if I imitate 
his example, and receive the kindness of my father with 
cold reserve^ or as entitled to few expressions of thank- 
fulness?' And is not this the same as to teach ingrati- 
tude on a large scale, and make it the prominent lesson 
in the house, that blessings may be received to any 
amount from a benefactor, and yet no guilt be incurred 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 31 

by forgetting the giver, and rioting on his beneficence 
without one grateful emotion? 

2. Prayer is one of the prime duties of religion. 
There can be no religion without it. You cannot teach 
your children any of the precepts of religion, without 
making this one of them. Perhaps the first lesson which 
you will of necessity teach, will be that it is their duty 
to pray. Yet how can you consistently teach this 
lesson without setting them the example? If prayer is 
of so much moment, then why should not he who incul- 
cates the lesson, exemplify it also in his family? And 
what will be the effect of this teaching, if in the family 
he observes that you are a stranger to devotion? Can it 
be possible to teach the precepts, or the duties of reli- 
gion, unless it be done in connexion with making them 
prominent and constant, in the arrangements of the 
household? It will be remembered that on no other sub- 
ject do you make such an experiment. You wish to 
inculcate the lessons pertaining to business, or the me- 
chanic arts. You wish to train up the child to habits 
of industry, frugality, and order. You wish to inculcate 
on him the lessons of economy, or the value of polite in- 
tercourse, or of accomplishment. You have but one way 
of doing it. It is by example — by making these things 
prominent — by making them stand forth in all your do- 
mestic arrangements, so that your views cannot but be 
seen and apprehended. By making your conception of 
their value manifest to the child, you hope that he will 
be brought to feel as you feel, and be traiRed up so as 
to be an ornament to your name and family. Religion, 
you attempt to teach on a different principle — to ac- 
quaint him with the theory, not the practice,* to express 
with the lips what the heart feels not* and to suffer the 
language to teach one thing, which is as regularly de- 



32 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

nied by the life. Now what is this but to take religion 
from all its proper connexions, and to make it a cold, 
distant, unmeaning thing? If I wished to tell a man 
how he could effectually disgust a child with a subject, 
it would be to teach it as he does nothing elsej to take 
it out of all the ordinary relations of human things, and 
proclaim with his lips what is known never to be prac- 
tised in his life. 

3. Your example, without family prayer, will neutral- 
ize all the instructions of religion. If religion is of so 
much importance as you would endeavour to persuade 
him, then the child will ask, at once, < Why does not my 
father exemplify it? If the world is a trifle, and eternity 
be all, as he tells me, then why do I see his first and last 
thoughts, given to that world? Why all his time en- 
grossed in the counting room, the office, or the ways of 
pleasure or ambition? Why is not a portion of that time 
given to that which is pronounced to be of such trans- 
cendent value? And if the world be so full of tempta- 
tions, and trials, why does he not implore for me the 
blessing of that God who, I am told, can encompass 
me, and shield me from clanger? Is it my father's belief 
that that God affords protection unasked, and that he 
would not desire to be invoked to grant that defence 
and protection which circumstances of danger and trial 
demand? And can that be of so much moment which 
is suffered to be broken in upon by the veriest trifle, 
and excluded by any project of pleasure or gain?' 

4. I appeal then to the facts in the case. I appeal to 
those parents who neglect family prayer, whether, in 
fact, they do not neglect the religious training of their 
children, as a matter of regular, sober, faithful arrange- 
ment. Does such instruction come in, in any way, as a 
part of the family organization? Is it not a fact that 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 33 

you see the inconsistency of attempting it without fami- 
ly prayer, and that rather than do the one, you choose 
also to neglect the other?— And if so, then I put the 
matter on this broad ground, and urge the duty of fa- 
mily worship, by all the importance of the religious 
training. If it be so, that, if the one is neglected, the 
other will be, then I appeal to you by all the solemnity 
of their eternal interests— by a reference to their reli- 
gious character in this life, and their eternal doom in 
the life to come, and ask you whether you dare to do a 
thing which, in its results, is to shut religion from your 
family, and preclude all parental religious training in 
your household? That parent who can coolly take a 
step like that, is advancing to meet an account which 
I humbly pray to God / may never be called to render 
in the day of judgment. 

And this sad neglect has given rise to an abuse of one 
of the noblest institutions of this age — I mean the Sun- 
day School. The parent who is unwilling to teach his 
children for himself, or to pray with them at home, 
finds a salvo to his conscience by devolving the task on 
others. Neglecting his own duty, he attempts to put 
the onerous burden on others; and to find peace in the 
conviction that they will do that which he is conscious 
he is neglecting. — In regard to this, I make two re- 
marks. One is, that the Sunday School teacher is not, 
and will not be, and cannot be, responsible for your ne- 
glect of duty. A burden — if to teach and pray for your 
own children be a burden, has been laid on you by a 
higher authority than any human power; and there is 
no device, by which you can free yourself from the ob- 
ligation. God most High, has clothed you with respon- 
sibility, that of training up your children in the nurture 
and admonition of the Lord;— that of exerting the in- 



34 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

fluence of a parent to prepare them for usefulness, and 
for heaven. And that is no enviable feeling which at- 
tempts to flee from the responsibility, and devolve its 
duties on others. Besides, the Sunday School teacher 
has a responsibility of his own, quite enough for any 
human being to endure. After you have done your 
duty, still his work is as arduous as any mortal would 
willingly undertake. It is unkindness to your children, 
and to such a teacher, to ask him to bear your respon- 
sibilities. It cannot be done. He will not stand at the 
judgment bar in your place; nor will he meet there the 
doom which awaits parental neglect in the family. The 
other remark is this. It is, that one of the prominent 
effects of the instructions in the Sunday School, is to 
teach the duty of family devotion. That is a lesson soon 
learned. And your children return to you from those 
nurseries of piety, often deeply feeling, and greatly 
grieved, that their father's house is a place where no 
God is acknowledged, and where mercies are ever de- 
scending without any returns of praise. Each Sabbath 
shall deepen this lesson. And you are not to wonder 
if the lips of children should sometimes tenderly ask 
you why so plain a duty is neglected; or if they throw 
their arms around your necks, and in treat you to ac- 
knowledge the God of all yo*Ur mercies in your habita- 
tion. I regard the Sunday School as one of the means 
prompting to family prayer, and not the least of its 
blessings do I esteem it to be, that it throws an influence 
back upon your families, and makes your children 
pleaders for God, and prompters to duty, in the busi- 
ness of family religion. 

But while the duty of family prayer appears thus 
manifest and clear, while every parent would probably 
admit that he can see the propriety of the duty, and 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 35 

Ithat most important benefits would result from its ob- 
servance, yet it has so happened that there is not pro- 
bably any single duty against which so many objections 
are urged as this. To what this fact is owing, it is 
lot now necessary to inquire. It may be remarked, 
ihowever, that the fact of the existence of so many ob- 
jections, is no small confirmation of the strength of the 
,arguments in favour of family prayer. Men do not 
commonly invent and urge objections where a duty is 
:tiot strongly and plausibly pressed. The amount of ob- 
jection will be in proportion to the strength and fre- 
quency with which the argument is urged. When 
Ithat occurs daily, as in the case of family devotion, 
(where the duty is palpable and obvious, and yet from 
lany cause there is an unwillingness to engage in it, then 
:it is necessary that there should be some excuse always 
at hand, and sufficiently plausible to turn aside, at least 
(for the present, the force of the argument. It is of im- 
portance to notice these objections, 
i The first and most plausible is, that the duty of fa- 
mily prayer is not expressly enjoined in the Scriptures. 
JThis I admit — and having frankly made the admission, 
let us advance to ascertain, if possible, the precise shape 
which this subject assumes in the sacred volume. This 
will be seen by the following observations. — 1. One de- 
sign of law, and especially of laws pertaining to mo- 
irals, is to give general statutes, or injunctions, applica- 
ble to all the cases which may occur. It is not to spe- 
cify each case, in which business there could be no end 
— but to advance general principles that can be readily 
understood, and applicable to all the cases which may 
occur. That you should relieve your neighbour when 
he is sick, or defend his child when in danger, is not 
expressly commanded; but the golden rule of the Sa- 



36 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

viour will meet any number of cases of that kind 
which may happen. To legislate about each particular 
case would be endless. The general rule to do to 
others as you would wish them to do to you, is easy and 
easily applied to all the instances which may exist. 
2. It is not the manner of the Scriptures to command 
a thing which was already in existence, and which it 
was supposed would be performed if there were right 
feeling. Thus that men should love their children, 
and provide for them, was assumed without express 
statute, because the very organization of the family re- 
lation supposed it, and it was secured by a more an- 
cient law than by any express statute. 3. The whole 
subject of prayer was left substantially in this manner. 
There is no injunction to prayer at all in the Scrip- 
tures, until the world was three thousand years old, nor 
until eight hundred years after the calling of Abraham.* 
Ps. cxxii. 6. Jer. xxix 7. Yet during this time, the 
subject of prayer is not unfrequently mentioned; and 
the fact is recorded that men did call on God. Gen. 
xxiv. 63. Job. xv. 4>; xvi. 17, 15; xxiii. 26. 4. There 
is not in the Scriptures any injunction to any particular 
kind of prayer. Thus when secret prayer is mentioned, 
it is not as a command, but as a thing which was prac- 
tised, and which it was assumed would be practised. 
All that was needed in the case, was to regulate the 
manner of its performance. Matt. vi. 5, 6. The same 
is true of public worship. The general command to 
pray is given; the fact is recorded that the church did 
pray; and regulations are suggested about the proper 
way of performing it. Is it not to be presumed, that 
the subject of family prayer would be left in the same 

* Dr Dwight. 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 37 

manner? 5. There are injunctions respecting prayer, 
which imply the duty of family prayer as well as any 
other. Thus the command, Eph. vi. 18. Praying al- 
ways (Gr. in every time — or at all times) with all 
prayer — that is, with all kinds of prayer, or offering it 
on all proper occasions. 1 Tim. ii. 8. I will that men 
pray every where. Phil. iv. 6. In every thing by prayer 
and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests 
be made known before God. 1 Pet. iv. 7. Be ye 
therefore sober and watch unto prayer. Now if a ques- 
tion should arise, what kind of prayer was contemplated 
in these places, on the principle of the objector it would 
be impossible to determine; or rather the tendency of 
his objection is to nullify the whole precept. He ob- 
jects that the commands do not imply the duty of fa- 
mily prayer. They do not distinctly specify it, and 
therefore it is not a part of the injunction. For the 
same reason /may object that secret prayer is not com- 
manded here, and as it is not specified, it cannot be in- 
tended. A third person, with the same reason and 
propriety, shall remark that social and public prayer are 
not commanded, and he feels released from that. What 
is this but to trifle with the Scriptures, and to make 
them unmeaning? If the command to pray with all 
prayer does not imply family prayer, it implies nothing 
and means nothing. 6. The duty of family worship — 
and I may assume that there will be no worship with- 
out prayer — is often mentioned with approbation, and so 
mentioned as to show that it is acceptable to God. 
Thus of Abraham. I know that he will command his 
children, and his household after him, that they shall 
keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment. 
Gen. xviii. 19. Thus said Joshua. As for me, and my 
house, we will serve the Lord. Josh. xxiv. 15. Thus 

D 



38 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

Job offered daily worship in his house — by offering 
daily sacrifices to obtain the blessing of God, and to 
turn away the divine indignation from his sons. Job. 
i. 4. And thus also our Saviour with his apostles, and 
the apostles after his ascension, offered united prayer; 
expressed their common wants, and commended them- 
selves to the common paternal guidance of God. That 
beautiful model of all proper supplication — the Lord's 
prayer — implies in its very structure that it is to be 
used daily, and in some community like a family. It 
is to be a daily supplication — " give us this day our 
daily bread." It is to be used not by an individual, but 
by a community. " Our Father," not my Father — 
which art in heaven. " Give us this day" — " forgive 
us our trespasses" — " lead us not into temptation"—- 
" deliver us from evil." Yet there is no community 
that can use this but a family; none that are together 
each day, and none where the prayer would be so di- 
rectly adapted to the wants of the petitioners, as in a 
household dependent on God, bowing down before him 
in the morning to ask the supply of their returning 
wants, and to implore protection and defence in the va- 
rious trials to which the household would be exposed. 
" What a live coal," says Dr. Hunter, " is applied to 
devotion, when the solitary my Father and my God, is 
changed into the social our Father, and our God!" 7. 
God has expressly declared his abhorrence of the ne- 
glect of family devotion. It is given as a character- 
istic of those who know not God, that they call not on 
his name, and as classifying them with the heathen 
world. Jer. x. 25. "Pour out thy fury upon the hea- 
then that know thee not, and upon the families that call 
not on thy name." 8. I would only add here, that to 
a parent it would seem that there was no duty that less 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 39 

required an authoritative injunction from heaven. I 
would not sit down here to an inquiry into the nature 
of abstract statute and law. I would not look for iron 
enactments, and Gothic and terrific mandates here. A 
parent's love for his children, prompts him to do all 
that is possible for their welfare. For them he toils, he 
denies himself, he watches around their beds of pain. 
What is there which a mother or a father will not sa- 
crifice for the welfare of their children? How freely 
do health, and property, and rest, go to promote their 
peace, and train them for usefulness and felicity? And 
who, when a child is sick, asks for an iron statute, to 
learn whether he shall send for a physician? Who, when 
the storm howls, or the flames rage, looks for inexo- 
rable law to know whether he shall stretch out his arms 
to aid? Why is it not so, we ask, in regard to all the 
great helps and blessings that may establish their vir- 
tue and promote their welfare here, or prepare them 
for glory hereafter? You, and your children, rise from 
beds of repose, protected by the hand of God. The 
blessings of his providence crown your board, and fill 
your houses with rejoicing. Protected by an unseen 
arm, raised by unseen power, and blessed by an invisi- 
ble hand, what inexorable law is demanded to induce 
you with them, to express thanksgiving to your great 
Benefactor? You go forth to the duties of the day. 
You know not its temptations, its toils, its dangers. 
No eye can see what unexpected occurrence may meet 
you— what dangers may assail — what temptations may 
lie in your path. Who can crown your goings with 
blessings but God? Who can watch over them but his 
unseen and never slumbering eye? And do we look for 
statutes to bind us to seek his blessing and ask his pro- 
tecting care? The shades of evening come around you. 



40 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

Again protected, defended, shielded, you come into the 
family circle. Peace is there, and health, and cheer- 
fulness, and plenty. Do I need a formal law when I go 
into such an abode, and say, here the goodness of God 
should be acknowledged; here it is appropriate that 
heaven's Eternal King should listen to the voice of 
praise, and the watchfulness of that eye that never 
slumbers nor sleeps, should be invoked? Your chil- 
dren go into — what? a world of peace, and friendship, 
of virtue, and of joy? O no. They tread a vale of sor- 
row. You have given them existence in a dwelling of 
temptation and of danger. Foes, deadly and malig- 
nant, are in their path. The most fragrant bower may 
be the residence of the serpent, beguiling to destroy. 
The most lovely glade, the fairest path, and most 
charming stream, may be the residence of foes that shall 
attack their peace or endanger their souls. They will 
be in peril — they will be allured, beguiled. Other lips 
than yours will attempt to influence them; and the gid- 
dy and the voluptuous may seek to make them their 
prey. They will weep. They will feel — yes, deeply 
feel, that they are in a cold, unfriendly, guilty world. 
They will be laid on beds of pain; will pant, will strug- 
gle, will expire. But one eye can mark their dangers 
or their pains, when you are dead. Far away from 
them in the cold grave, your eye will have lost its 
power to pity, and your hands their strength to relieve. 
Say, parent — father, mother, do we need the formality 
of law, the sternness of command, to tell us we must 
seek the blessing of God on our family? Is it not the 
instinctive feeling of every father, " May I bend before 
the God of heaven; and will his ear be open; and can I 
have the assurance that he is ready and willing to de- 
fend my children?" Cast the eye onward. What shall 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 4 1 

be the doom of your children beyond the grave? Whi- 
ther shall they wander in that undiscovered world? 
Shall they repose forever in the arms of heaven's King, 
or shall they be vagrants and outcasts, excluded from 
the place of mercy and of peace, and driven away with 
the polluted and the lost forever! On whom is de- 
pendent their eternal doom? On that Being who is to 
be invoked by prayer. Who alone can save them from 
being cast down into hell? None but that Almighty 
God, whose blessing you never ask for your children, 
whose protecting care you never seek. 

Now I would only ask of any parent, to look at his 
children with a parent's feeling, and remember they go 
to a world of dangers, and woes; to inevitable scenes 
of sorrow and of death; to an illimitable eternity; and 
to remember that none but the arm of Jehovah can 
shield them; and then to contemplate his household as 
practically heathen, where no God is adored; no voice 
of prayer is heard; no song of praise is offered; no 
hands are stretched out to the heavens to save your 
beloved sons and daughters! We are here tempted to 
ask, can there be such scenes? Certainly we do ask, can 
there be such a scene among the friends of God, and 
among parents, feeling that they are professedly devoted 
to the service of the Most High? If I speak to such an 
one, I address you as a Christian father, as a dying 
man, and beseech you that this night the God of heaven 
may be invoked in your abode, and that your dwelling 
become consecrated as the dwelling place of the Most 
High. 

2. A second objection is want of time. This objec- 
tion scarce deserves a serious answer; and yet it is one 
of the most frequent that is made. I reply to it— 
1. That the objection is one which may be turned to 
d 2 



42 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

account, and do good, if you ever establish family wor- 
ship. The great fault of devotion in families is, that it 
is too tedious, monotonous, and long — that it becomes 
wearisome and disgusting. It will be well if you can 
enter on it with all the advantage of the objection 
so often urged, and with the hope that you will feel the 
propriety of being short. 2. I reply, make your devo- 
tions in the family as short as you please. I am not 
pleading for long services. I am pleading/or the thing 
itself. And assuredly it would not greatly impede the 
more important business of making money, or enjoy- 
ing the world, to give five minutes or three minutes to 
God. 3. Is this objection ever urged by those who 
are conscientious about this thing, and who feel that 
time was given them for some valuable purpose? Is it 
urged by those who have actually engaged with interest 
in this duty, and who love it? From them should come 
the objection, if from any quarter; and it is not fair 
for an objector to presume that he of all men, is con- 
scientious about his time; and that those who offer 
prayer in their families are the idle, and the prodigal. 
An investigation on this subject might show that all 
conscience is not on the side of the objector, and that 
the acknowledgment of God interferes with no man's 
welfare; and that there may be a conscientious appro- 
priation of time, even among those who regard family 
devotion as a pleasure and a duty. To such objectors 
I respectfully submit whether no time is spent in un- 
necessary sleep; whether the toilet claims no time that 
God might claim; and whether no time is spent in un- 
profitable reading or remark, on which God might have 
a claim on the head of the family. I feel that I am 
letting down this subject by noticing this objection. It 
requires some self-denial to meet the reasonings of 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 43 

men, who suppose that God is an aggressor, and an 
usurper; that the Eternal King is violating all the laws 
of property, and is rudely intruding, when he claims a 
jurisdiction over your hours, or moments; and that for 
God, your Creator, to demand even a few moments of 
human life, is to come in as an unbidden and unwel- 
come guest into your family; and is such an act of 
trespass on a man's castle, as to demand the deliberate 
purpose of a father to exclude him each day from the 
domain. I add in the language of Barrow, " Do we 
take devotion itself to be no business, or a business of 
no consideration? Do we conceit, when we pay God 
his debts, or discharge our duty toward him, when we 
crave his mercy, when we solicit the main concern- 
ments of our souls, that we are idle, or misemployed? 
that we lavish our time, and lose our pains? What other 
affairs can we have of greater moment, or necessity, 
than this? Can there be any interest more close, and 
weighty, than this, of promoting for our own souls 
eternal health and happiness? Is not this indeed the 
great work — the only necessary matter — in comparison 
with which, all other occupations are trifling? What 
are the great businesses of this world? What but 
scraping for pelf, compassing designs of ambition, 
courting the respect and favour of men, gratifying sin- 
ful curiosity, and carnal humour? Shall these images, 
these shadows of business, suppress or crowd out devo- 
tion? — that which procureth wealth inestimable, plea- 
sure infinitely satisfactory, and honour incomparably 
noble; above all that this earth can afford? Is it not, 
beside, no such indispensable business, but rather 
some base dotage on lucre, some inveigling bait of 
pleasure, that crosseth our devotion? Is it not often 
a complimental visit, an appointment to tattle, a wild 



44 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

ramble in vice or folly, that so deeply urgeth us to put 
off our duty? Nay, is it not commonly sloth, rather 
than activity, an averseness from this, rather than incli- 
nation to any other employment, which diverts us 
from our prayers? Is it not the true reason why we 
pray so seldom, not because we are very busy, but be- 
cause we are extremely idle; so idle, that we cannot wil- 
lingly take the pains to withdraw our affections from 
sensible things, to reduce our wandering thoughts, 
to compose our hearts to right frames, to bend our 
untoward inclinations to a compliance with our duty? 
Do we not betake ourselves to other conversations and 
commerces, merely for refuge, shunning this inter- 
course with God, and with ourselves?" 

3. A third objection arises from diffidence. This de- 
mands a more respectful consideration. And yet there 
is scarcely any thing in which men are more liable to 
err. I shall assume the strongest case. It is that where 
a father is naturally timid, and retiring. Where he 
finds it difficult to express himself, clearly and fluently, 
on any subject. Where he has arrived to a somewhat 
advanced period of life, and his family have grown up 
around him. Where he even apprehends opposition, or 
ridicule, from his companion or children. In such a 
case, is it the duty of the father to establish the worship 
of God in his family? I reply, 1. You can speak to your 
children about other matters, you can address them on 
any topic; why can you not, in their presence, address 
God? Does it require more talent, more learning, more 
eloquence? The simplest language, and the humblest 
petitions, are those which will be most acceptable to 
him. 2. Every parent must feel that it is no creditable 
thing for him to be afraid of his children, when called 
to do his duty. To fear them, is to throw disorder into 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 45 

all family government; and to fear them more than God, 
is more. It is to throw "shadows, clouds, and dark- 
ness" on all his piety. How can a man be a christian, 
when he trembles more at the fear of his children, than 
he does at the presence of Godj and when he regards 
their opinion as of more consequence than the judgment 
of heaven? This was not the spirit of the apostles and 
martyrs, who faced the world, and defied tyrants on their 
thrones, and feared not racks and flames rather than to 
depart from the will of heaven. 3. All duty demands self- 
denial. He who expects to reach the heavens by sailing 
on the bosom of a calm and unruffled stream, will find yet 
that he has greatly mistaken the nature of piety. And 
especially is this the case where duty has been long ne- 
glected. Then, to return is always difficult. Fear and 
shame will always plead for a longer indulgence. The 
man will be diffident just in proportion to the extent of 
his sin, and to the amount of influence that will be op- 
posed to his return. The world will oppose him, per- 
haps deride and persecute him. But it is not reserved 
to this time to know what is to be done in such a case. 
It is long since made known. Duty is imperious. It 
yields nothing. And Christianity demands that what- 
ever shame, or ridicule, or persecution, be to be encoun- 
tered, it be cheerfully met and borne, even on the rack 
or in the flames. You will never be a christian without 
self-denial. That matter is put beyond debate. 4. On 
this subject there is a most solemn and fearful declara- 
tion of Jesus Christ. He that is ashamed of me and of 
my words before men, of him shall the Son of man be 
ashamed before his Father, and the holy angels. 5. 
You are probably mistaken about your family. Suffer 
me to ask, what reason have you to suppose that they 
will regard an attempt to pray, with disapprobation, or 



46 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

derision? Have they thus ever met an attempt to do 
your duty? Have you made the experiment? Have 
you seen any indications that your attempt to obey 
God would meet with opposition? Then it is time 
that the authority of a father should be exercised, 
and attended by all the sanctions, and pleadings of 
religion. If you have so long neglected to do your 
duty, so long neglected their religious training, that 
they begin to deride the religion of the Son of God, 
then no time is to be lost in meeting this influence, 
and showing them your sense of the value of the 
christian religion, and the importance of being pre- 
pared to die. But you have not estimated aright the 
feelings of your children. Long since they have won- 
dered that a father acknowledges no God in his habita- 
tion; and perhaps this may have been the burden of 
their secret prayers that the God of heaven might be 
honoured in their father's house. It is not common, in 
this land, at least, that a family is disposed to deride a 
father for a serious attempt to do his duty. — I will add 
here, that all these difficulties vanish when a man com- 
mences the duty in earnest. Mountains at once dwindle 
to mole hills. What was formidable in appearance, 
becomes easy in the reality; and delight comes in where 
you expected dismay and alarm. I appeal to your own 
experience in other things. How often have you found 
that all your difficulties have vanished when you have 
seriously resolved to do your duty. So you would find 
it in family prayer. 

4. A fourth objection is want of ability to pray to 
edification. To this I answer, 1. It is not talent or elo 
quence that is required in addressing God. It is a hum- 
ble and contrite heart. 2. You can speak before yourj 
family on other subjects with propriety. You make no\ 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 47 

: plea of want of ability when you express your desires 
: to them. Why urge this plea about expressing their 
,and your desires to God? 3. You have as much ability 
sin this case as the publican had. It was not eloquence 
or learning in him that received the commendation of 
(the Son of God. 4. There is scarcely any thing in 
i which pride is more apparent; and none in which it is 
more abominable, than in the excuses about prayer. If 
lit were not for their fellow sinners, men could pray. 
Alone, they are never known to urge the plea of want 
;of ability. And this is saying that they have more re- 
spect for their fellow men than they have for God. And 
(this is the same as to say, if they were not proud they 
would find no difficulty in devotion. When an objection 
can be reduced to this condition, there it is proper to 
leave it. 5. All this difficulty can be avoided by avail- 
ing yourself of forms of prayer. If the objection be 
3 sincere, that is a full answer to it, and you should cora- 
imence at once. Such forms are not forbidden in the 
tNew Testament, and as if to meet this whole difficulty, 
and with an expressed design to teach his disciples how 
3 to pray, Christ left that inimitably beautiful model which 
is known as his. That, you can at least use in your 
jfamily. And whatever may be the abstract opinion 
a about the comparative value of forms of prayer, yet 
tthere will be no question, I apprehend, that it is better 
5 to use a form, than not to pray at all. 
t 5. There is but one other difficulty that I think it 
important to notice; and that is one that demands the 
outmost tenderness and kindness in the reply. It relates 
•to the duty of a mother, and especially of a widowed 
mother; and the question is whether such a mother 
1 should lead a family advancing in years to the throne 
oof Grace. The duty of a mother, where the father is 



48 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

opposed to it, is manifestly clear. It is not to assume 
authority, or to demand the privilege as a right, of con- 
ducting herself the devotions of the family. In retire- 
ment with her children, however, she may, and should, 
supplicate the blessing of God on them and him. 
When, however, he is unwilling to perform the duty 
himself, but willing that she should conduct the devo- 
tions of the house, there can be no violation of proprie- 
ty in her maintaining family devotion. The more dif- 
ficult question pertains to the widow. Let us look 
at this. On this, then, I remark, 1. She is obviously 
the very person who needs the aid of family prayer. 
God has taken away the head and earthly father in his 
mysterious dealings — he whose it was to conduct your 
devotions — and why should you not look to him who is 
your Father and Comforter in heaven? The benefit of 
the counsels of the earthly parent is withdrawn. You 
need the counsel of a higher Being; and why should 
you not seek it? You feel now more and more your de- 
pendence on God, and why should you not express it? 
2. You especially need all this aid, in the business of 
governing and directing your children. They have 
lost their father's counsel, his example, his authority. 
On your feebler arm now all is dependent. It is yours 
to guide, to counsel, to govern. In this you need all the 
aid which can be obtained. What so direct and mighty 
as to call in the aid of religion — amid your sighs and 
tears to beseech the God of mercy to take you beneath 
his kind paternal care? It is not easy for children to 
treat with direspect a praying, widowed mother. This 
is the very time, and occasion, for seeking the God of 
grace, and his ear will not be heavy to hear, nor his arm 
short to help her, that comes and pleads day and night 
before his throne, his own oft-repeated promises to the 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 49 

widow and the fatherless. 3. There is no scene on earth, 
it seems to me, so lovely as that of a bereaved family, thus 
pouring its sorrows into the ears of God, and seeking re- 
pose on his bosom. And in that family — that widowed 
and fatherless family, where this is wanting, there is a 
chasm which no adorning, no amiableness, no intelli- 
gence can fill. God should be acknowledged there. It is 
the very place where there should be an altar. And if 
all places of worship should be broken up; if all our 
assemblies should be dissolved; if the fires of devotion 
every where else should grow dim, or expire, yet they 
should be seen to shed their pure beams on the abode of 
the widow, and to diffuse light and joy in the otherwise 
sad dwelling place of the fatherless. 4. The plea of 
want of ability should not be urged there. It is proper 
to use forms of prayer; and the widow comes to her 
duty under the advantage of more cheering promises 
made to her in the Scriptures, than are made to any 
other class of the human family. 

It is proper, before we close, to make a few remarks 
on the ivay in which family devotion should be per- 
formed. As general remarks on a subject like this do 
no good, I shall specify a few particulars. 

1. Prayer should be short. A family cannot be 
brought to attend with interest to a prayer that shall 
much, if any, exceed five minutes in length. It is better 
to fall short of that than to exceed it. The tendency of 
long prayers is to disgust and weary, and to train them 
up to dread, and to hate the whole business of family 
devotion. 

2. Prayer should be simple and plain. The Lord's 
prayer is on this subject an inimitable model of devo- 
tion. It is unsurpassed in simplicity: and it is one of 
the first things that a child can be made to understand. 



50 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

A family will soon be disgusted with that which is 
above their comprehension; and the only way to inte- 
rest children in such devotions is to frame them so 
that they can understand them and feel an interest in 
them. 

3. It should be direct. There should be some object 
to be prayed for. It should be commonly limited to a 
few topics, and those should be presented in the most 
simple way possible. The practice of praying for every 
body and every thing, in every prayer, has a direct 
tendency to destroy all the effects of devotion. Histo- 
rical prayers — prayers beginning with the creation of 
man, and tracing all his history to the times of the mil- 
lennium, repeated from one day to another, soon disgust 
and weary any audience, and soonest of all, a family. 
Till men learn to concentrate their feelings, and have 
really some object for which they wish to pray — an ob- 
ject in which they feel some interest, the business of 
praying will be dull, monotonous, disgusting. 

4. Prayer should be solemn. It should not be a mat- 
ter of form. Nor should it be in an affected tone, or 
mock solemnity. Few audiences understand the real 
nature of such prayers, sooner than a family. The 
God whom you worship is not an idol. Your wants 
are not fictions. Your sins are real. The dangers of 
your children are mighty, and pressing. Your relation 
to God, and eternity, is not a cold formality. It has 
every thing to thrill, to pierce, to awe, to overwhelm. 
And coldness, and spiritual death, become any place 
better than the family altar. Let the snows of Green- 
land, and the ice of the northern seas, be in any other 
place of devotion, rather than on that where you plead 
with God for the guidance and salvation of your sons 
and daughters. 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 5 1 

5. Prayer should be regular. It is not the business of 
the sabbath merely; nor of scenes of affliction merely; 
nor a matter to be attended to when you are not 
otherwise employed. It is to be the real business 
of the family — a part of its systematic organization, 
and employment. Without this its interest will expire. 
When I plead with you that God be acknowledged in 
your family, I plead that it may enter into your plans, 
that religion is to be a prominent part of the design for 
which you live. 

6. Family prayer should obviously be connected with 
instruction, and especially with the perusal of the Holy 
Scriptures. Its interest may also be heightened, and 
its great ends furthered by making it the occasion of 
celebrating the praises of God, by psalms and hymns. 
I add— 

7. That it should be the offering of the family. I 
deem this remark of more importance than any one 
which I have made. When I say that it should be the 
offering of the family, I mean that it should enter into 
the plan, and the arrangement, that children, and ser- 
vants should be present at the time of devotion. I 
make the observation, because it is so easy to forget 
that our servants are a part of the family, or that they 
have any sympathies in common with us. Whoever 
looks into the epistles of Paul, will see that the reli- 
gious treatment of servants occupies a large place in 
his instructions to the churches. It is clear, that pro- 
per religious attention will not be shown to them, un- 
less it is made a matter of conscience with you to 
admit them to the privileges of family prayer. They 
are a part of your family. They are under your care. 
Their religious instruction is to be subject to your con- 
trol. And it is perfectly manifest that their attach- 



52 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

ment to you, their fidelity, their good conduct, can be 
in no way so effectually secured as to admit them to the 
privileges of the Christian, and share with them the 
hopes of the mercy of heaven, and the favour of God. 
If you wish to secure their attachment, show them that 
you are interested in their religious welfare. If you 
wish to bind them to your family, admit them to the 
privileges of that religion, where there is neither Jew 
nor Greek, neither bond nor free; but where Christ is 
all and in all. These great interests you have in com- 
mon. The hopes of heaven may be theirs, as well as 
yours. And rank, and wealth, and the relation of mas- 
ter, afford no passport to the favour of God, and confer 
no elevation before the throne of grace. Besides, there 
is no so effectual way of producing humility, kindness, 
and fidelity, among servants, as by imbuing them with 
a knowledge of that religion which recognises their 
condition; teaches them their duty, and makes them 
prayerful and conscientious. Before the throne of God 
masters and servants should bow in common. They 
will soon stand at a common bar of judgment. And 
it is well, even for the rich and the powerful, to feel 
every day, that in the great interests of human ex- 
istence, wealth and splendour confer no prerogatives; 
and that those poor, dependent, and ignorant, have 
spirits precious as our own, and that it is ours to 
attempt to raise them up to the blessings of redemp- 
tion, and that there is no respect of persons with 
God. 

The same remarks are applicable to your children. 
The evil of disorganized families results from irregu- 
larity in their attendance on family devotion. Indulge 
them in sleep; or suffer them to be absent amid the 
scenes of gaiety, fashion, splendour, or dissipation, at 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 53 

the regular times of devotion, and it is not difficult to 
foresee what will be the character of your sons and 
daughters. Deeds of wickedness are commonly literal- 
ly deeds of darkness; and more than half the evils in- 
flicted on a community, result from the want of power 
or inclination of parents to restrain, and bind to proper 
hours, and times, the headlong, and daring propensities 
of children. That parent, in my view, greatly fails in 
his duty, and is pointing thorns for a future pillow, 
who suffers his children to be absent from his view at 
the proper seasons of devotion. Summon them to your 
side, and present them before God; and there, if any 
where, they are safe. 

In conclusion, I remark, that there is not on earth a 
scene more interesting than a family thus bending be- 
fore the God of heaven. A collection of dependent 
beings, with tender feelings, with lively sympathies, 
with common hopes, fears, joys, blending their bliss, 
and their woes together, and presenting them all to 
the King of kings, and the Great Father of all the fami- 
lies of mankind. There is not on earth a man more to 
be venerated, or that will be more venerated, than the 
father who thus ministers at the family altar. No other 
man, like that father, so reaches all the sources of hu- 
man action, or so gently controls the powers yielding in 
their first years, and following the direction of his 
moulding hand, that are soon to control all that is ten- 
der and sacred in the interests of the church and state. 
No Solon or Lycurgus is laying the foundation of 
codes of laws so deep, or taking so fast a hold on all 
that is to affect the present or future destiny of man. We 
love, therefore, to look at such venerable locks; and to 
contemplate these ministers of God which stand be- 
tween the rising generation — feeble, helpless, and ex- 

E 2 



54 PRELIMINARY ESSAY 

posed to a thousand perils — and the Eternal Parent of 
all. They stand between the past and the coming age 
— remnants of the one, and lights to the other; binding 
the past with that which is to come; living lights of ex- 
perience to guide the footsteps of the ignorant and err- 
ing; to illuminate the coming generation — to obtain 
for it blessings by counsel and prayer, and then to die. 
And if the earth contains, amid its desolations, one spot 
of green on which the eye of God reposes with pleasure, 
it is the collected group, with the eye of the father 
raised to heaven, and the voice of faith and prayer com- 
mending the little worshippers to the protecting care 
of Him who never slumbers nor sleeps. 

The inimitable language of Burns, on this subject, is 
not fiction. In hundreds of families you might wit- 
ness all that is pure and sublime in the scene contem- 
plated by the Scottish bard. 

tl They chant their artless notes in simple guise : 

They tune their hearts, by far the noblest aim : 
Perhaps Dundee's wild warbling measures rise, 

Or plaintive Martyrs, worthy of the name : 
Or noble Elgin beats the heav'nward flame, 

The sweetest far of Scotia's holy lays : 
Compar'd with these, Italian trills are tame; 

The tickl'd ears no heart-felt raptures raise ; 
Nae unison hae they with our Creator's praise. 

" The priest-like father reads the sacred page, 

How Jlbram was the friend of God on high ; 
Or Moses bade eternal warfare wage 

With Amalek's ungracious progeny ; 
Or how the royal bard did groaning lie 

Beneath the stroke of Heaven's avenging ire ; 
Or Job's pathetic plaint, and wailing cry; 

Or rapt Isaiah's wild, seraphic fire; 
Or other holy seers that tune the sacred lyre. 

" Perhaps the Christian volume is the theme, 
How guiltless blood for guilty man was shed; 

How He, who bore in Heaven the second name; 
Had not on earth whereon to lay his head : 

How his first followers and servants sped; 
The precepts sage they wrote to many a land; 



ON FAMILY PRAYER. 55 

How he who lone in Patmos banished, 
Saw in the sun a mighty angel stand ; 
And heard great Bab' Ion's doom pronounc'd by Heaven's command. 

"Then kneeling down, to Heaven's Eternal King, 

The saint, the father, and the husband prays ; 
Hope " springs exulting on triumphant wing,"* 

That thus they all shall meet in future days; 
There ever bask in uncreated rays, 

No more to sigh, or shed the bitter tear. 
Together hymning their Creator's praise, 

In such society, yet still more dear; 
While circling time moves round in an eternal sphere." 



* Pope's Windsor Forest. 



FAMILY PRAYERS. 



FIRST WEEK. 



SABBATH MORNING. Jay. 

O Thou King eternal, immortal, invisible, dwelling 
in the light which no man can approach unto, and 
whom no eye hath seen, or can see. Thou art incom- 
prehensible, and the highest archangel can never find 
thee out unto perfection. Yet thou hast been pleased to 
reveal thyself to man; and by means of thy word, we 
behold thee in every character and relation that can 
suit our necessities, or encourage our hope. Thy throne 
is in the heavens, and thy kingdom ruleth over all; and 
all nations before thee are as nothing; yet thou conde- 
scendest to regard the things that are done in the earth; 
and thou despisest not the prayer even of the destitute. 
Thou art exalted above all blessing and praise: our 
goodness extendeth not to thee — but unless thine be 
extended to us, we are undone forever. Without thee 
we can do nothing; we are nothing. In thee we live, 
and move, and have our being. The way of man is not 
in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his 
steps. We are poor and dependent; but as thou art 
able, so thou art willing, to take the charge of us; and 
here we are, the living to praise thee; and to acknow- 
ledge that goodness and mercy have followed us all the 
days of our lives. 

We bless thee, that thou hast regarded our souls, 
as well as our bodies; and no less provided for our fu- 
ture interests, than our present. When there was no 
eye to pity us, thou didst remember us in our low es- 
tate; and when there was no arm to rescue, thou wast 
pleased to lay help on one that is mighty; and thou hast 



FIRST WEEK. 57 

sent thy own Son into the world, not to condemn the 
world, but that the world through him might be saved. 
To him may we turn our hearts, and find in him the 
wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 
which, as perishing sinners, we need. In all our ap- 
proaches to thee, may we have boldness, and access, 
with confidence, by the faith of him. May we know 
that he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; 
and be able to rejoice in him as our sacrifice, our sym- 
pathising friend, our almighty helper, and our lovely 
example. May we drink into his spirit. May we tran- 
scribe the excellencies of his character into our own. 
May we place our feet in the very prints of his steps; 
and follow him till we shall be perfectly like him, and 
see him as he is. 

We desire to acknowledge thee in the dispensations 
of thy providence; and to own thy agency in all the 
events that befall us, whether pleasing or painful. Thou 
hast a right to govern us; and thou knowest what will 
best advance our welfare. May we commit our way 
unto the Lord, and be able to say at thy footstool, in un- 
feigned submission, Here I am, let him do what seem- 
eth him good. If darkness veils thy dealings with us, 
may we trust and not be afraid; believing that what we 
know not now, we shall know hereafter; and that the 
development of thy conduct will issue in perfect satis- 
faction and praise. 

We bless thee for the institutions of religion, in the 
use of which thou hast promised to draw near to those 
that draw near to thee. We rejoice in another of the 
days of the Son of man; may we call off our minds 
from the cares of the world, and attend upon the Lord 
without distraction. Quicken and elevate our souls, 
that rising above the formality of devotion, we may 
come even to thy seat, and enjoy a little of the blessed- 
ness of those that have entered thy temple above, and 
are singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. We are 
about to assemble in the house of prayer— pour upon 
us the spirit of grace and of supplication; and rank us 
in the number of those who hunger and thirst after righ- 
teousness. We are going to the house of praise — 
awaken in us every grateful and cheerful emotion, and 
may we speak to ourselves in psalms and hymns, and 






58 FIRST WEEK. 

spiritual songs, singing, and making melody in our 
hearts unto the Lord. We are repairing to the house 
of instruction — enable us to receive the kingdom of 
God as a little child. Teach us of thy ways. Lead us 
into all truth. And let us be neither barren nor un- 
fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ. 

For this purpose, let thy presence go with us; and 
let thy word come to us; not in word only, but in power, 
and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. Bless 
all the churches of the faithful; and the ministers of the 
everlasting gospel, of every name, and of every nation. 
Clothe the priests with salvation; and let thy saints 
shout aloud for joy. May our country prosper in all 
her lawful interests, both domestic and foreign. Bless 
the chief magistrate of our nation, and all that are in 
authority; may they rule in thy fear, and be guided by 
thy counsel; and may the people lead quiet and peacea- 
ble lives in all godliness and honesty. Make us glad ac- 
cording to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and 
the years wherein we have seen evil. Let thy work ap- 
pear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their chil- 
dren, and let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon 
us; establish thou the work of our hand upon us, yea, 
the work of our hand, establish thou it. 

* And we especially invoke thy blessing, O Lord, to 
attend this day all the instructions imparted in Sabbath 
schools and Bible classes. We pray that thou wilt be 
graciously pleased to grant the influences of the Holy 
Spirit, that that instruction may be impressed deeply 
on the heart and may produce abundant fruit in the life. 
Give grace, Almighty God, to those who are teachers 
in those schools; that they may be deeply impressed 
with their responsibility; that they may be themselves 
thy children; and that they may engage in their work 
with an earnest desire to benefit those entrusted to 
their charge. May their minds be enlightened that 
they may understand thy holy word. May they see 
clearly the great plan of redeeming mercy. May they 
be enabled to present thy truth simply, clearly, with 
affection, and with prayer. May the sacred Spirit 
—the Comforter— be given them, to guide them into 
all truth. And do thou be pleased to bless all children 



FIRST WEEK. 59 

in those schools. Preside over them and give to them 
thy Holy Spirit. Grant to them tender, teachable 
minds. May they learn the paths of wisdom, and 
delight in instruction. May their hearts be given to 
the Saviour in their early years. May they come to 
him, who, when on earth, said, Suffer little children and 
forbid them not to come unto me, for of such is the 
kingdom of Heaven. Take, O blessed Saviour, those 
lambs of the flock, into thine arms, and guide them 
by thine unerring counsel. Defend them from the 
perils and temptations of life, and conduct thou them 
to the joys of thine everlasting kingdom. [May our 
own children be trained up in the knowledge of thy 
name; and whatever instruction in accordance with 
thy word may be imparted to them in the family, the 
Sunday school, or the sanctuary, we pray that it may 
be attended with thy blessing, and be the means of fit- 
ting them for the duties of this life, and for the joys of 
thine eternal kingdom.]* 

These mercies, and all we need, we humbly ask in 
the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, our most gracious 
Lord and Redeemer. Amen. 



SABBATH EVENING. Jay. 

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and 
to sing praises unto thy name, O, Most High, to show 
forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faith- 
fulness every night. 

We this evening acknowledge the blessings, not only 
of another day, but of another sabbath. We bless thee 
that the sabbath was made for man, and that thou hast 
hallowed such a portion of our time, for purposes so 
important, but which, alas, we are prone to neglect. 
Thus thou art affording us opportunities to retire and 
to learn, among all the cares of life, that one thing is 
needful; and to hear the inquiry, what is a man profited, 
if he should gain the whole world and lose his own 
soul. Thus we have moments of leisure, in which we 
can more fully investigate our character; examine our 
condition; and ask, for what purpose we entered this 
mortal stage, and what will become of us when these 
scenes close. 



60 FIRST WEEK. 

We thank thee that the lines are fallen to us in plea- 
sant places, and that we have a goodly heritage: so that 
we can add to private meditation and devotion, the pub- 
lic ordinances of religion; and can sit under our own 
vine and fig-tree, none daring to make us afraid. We 
bless thee, that we have not only the Scriptures, but 
the ministry of the gospel; and have this day not only 
read, but heard the words of eternal life. 

But, O God, the effects we experience while waiting 
upon thee, though delightful, often prove like the 
morning cloud, and early dew. Before the lapse of a 
single day, we are compelled to complain, My soul 
cleaveth unto the dust; and to pray, quicken thou me 
according to thy word. Render therefore the impres- 
sions made upon us, deep and durable: keep these 
things for ever in the imagination of the hearts of thy 
people; and let thy word dwell in us richly, in all wisdom. 

May the instructions we receive, attend us in every 
part of our life, and regulate, and excite us in the dis- 
charge of all our relative duties, so that whether we 
are husbands or wives, parents or children, masters or 
servants, we may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour 
in all things. May we be satisfied with no knowledge, 
no belief, no professions, no feelings in religion — while 
our hearts are void of thy love, and we are strangers to 
that grace which bringeth salvation, and teacheth us to 
deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, 
righteously, and godly in the present world. 

We take shame to ourselves, not only for our open 
violations of thy law; but for our secret faults, our omis- 
sions of duty, our unprofitable attendance on the means 
of grace, our carnality in worshipping thee; and all the 
sins of our holy things. Our iniquities are increased 
over our head, and our trespass is gone up into the very 
heavens — and there, he is gone also, who is our Advo- 
cate with the Father, and the Propitiation for our sins. 
Behold his hands and his feet: and hear, O, hear, the 
voice of the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better 
things than that of Abel. 

Pity those who have this day been deprived of the 
public means of grace by sickness or infirmity. Let 
them know that thou art not confined to temples made 
with hands: be with them in trouble; and give them 



FIRST WEEK. 6 1 

their vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor 
for a door of hope. 

And remember the millions who were never favoured 
with the advantages we enjoy, and would be grateful 
for the crumbs that fall from our table. But they never 
smiled when a sabbath appeared. They never heard 
the name of Jesus. They feel guilt, but know nothing 
of the blood that cleanseth from all sin; they feel de- 
pravity, but know nothing of the renewing of the Holy 
Ghost. No one proclaims among them the balm of 
Gilead; and the physician there. O, send out thy light 
and thy truth. Let thy way be known on earth; thy 
saving health among all nations. 

We now commit ourselves, with all our connexions 
into thy hands. Guard us through the defenceless hours 
of sleep, from every evil to which we are exposed. If, 
as life is always uncertain, it should please thee to call 
us hence this night' — may we awaken in glory, and be 
forever with the Lord: or if thou shouldst continue us 
in being — may we rise in health and comfort, to pay 
thee the homage of a grateful heart, in a course of 
cheerful obedience. 

In thy favour is life — Do thou bless us, and we shall 
be blessed — safe from every evil, and sure of every 
good. 

And prepare us at length for the rest that remains 
for thy people; in which we shall join the general as- 
sembly and church of the first-born, in ascribing — bles- 
sing and honour, and glory, and power, to him that sit- 
teth upon the throne, and to the Lamb, for ever and 
ever. Amen. 



MONDAY MORNING.* Jay. 

O Thou, who hast characterized thyself as the hear- 
er of prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come: and that 
we may come with acceptance and success, we come in 
the name of the great intercessor, Jesus Christ, the 
righteous — and thou Eternal Spirit of grace and suppli- 

* The first Monday in the month is observed by most Christian 
denominations, as a monthly concert of prayer, for the spread of the 
gospel throughout the world. 



62 FIRST WEEK. 

cation, do thou make intercession for us, by making 
intercession in us, according to the will of God. 

Bless the services in which we were engaged on the 
past day. Let a savour of divine things be left on our 
spirits; and be diffused in our conversation. Let those 
around us take knowledge of us, that we have been with 
Jesus; and may our profiting appear unto all men. 
May our light shine before men. May we be manifest- 
ly the disciples of Christ. May we put on, as the elect 
of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, 
humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering, forgiving 
one another. May we be followers of God, as dear 
children: may we be perfect, as our Father, who is in 
heaven, is perfect. 

We confess and bewail, not only our deficiencies, but 
our backslidings also. O, recall us to thyself; enable 
us to feel our first love, and to do our first works. Yea, 
may we forget the things that are behind, and reach 
forth unto those that are before. May we not only 
have life, but may we have it more abundantly; and not 
only be fruitful, but bear much fruit. 

May our improvements correspond with our pri- 
vileges: and our practice with our knowledge. May 
our wills always bow to the decisions of our judgments; 
may we choose what we approve; and never condemn 
ourselves in the things that we allow. 

May all our churches continue steadfastly in the apos- 
tles' doctrine, and in fellowship, and in breaking of 
bread, and in prayer; and may the Lord add daily to 
their number, such as shall be saved. 

May the dead hear the voice of the Son of God, and 
live. May those who are asking the way to Zion, with 
their faces thitherward, find a teacher that will say to 
them, This is the way, walk ye in it, when they turn to 
the right hand, and when they turn to the left. Let 
the rich be poor in spirit; and the poor be made rich 
in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which thou hast 
promised to them that love thee. Let the ignorant 
be enlightened; and let those that are wise, become 
fools, that they may be wise. 

*We acknowledge thee, O most merciful God, as the 
Father of all flesh. Thou hast made of one blood all 
the nations of men, to dwell on the face of all the earth; 



FIRST WEEK. 36 

and hast fixed the bounds of their habitation. Thou 
upholdest all in being; pro videst for their wants; causest 
thy sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendest 
rain on the just and on the unjust. We rejoice, O our 
Father, and thank thee for thy goodness to all men. 
We praise thee that thou hast had mercy on the human 
family, and hast provided a plan of salvation, adapted 
to the wants of all mankind. And we bless thee for all 
thy promises in relation to the spread, and final tri- 
umph of the gospel of thy dear Son, that the heathen 
shall be given to him for his inheritance, and the ends 
of the earth for his possession — that the desert shall 
bud and bloom as the rose, and the wilderness and soli- 
tary place shall be glad. 

Be pleased, O Lord, to look down in mercy, on all 
who shall this day assemble to supplicate thy blessing 
on a fallen world. Give to thy people a spirit of grace 
and supplication. May they approach thy throne with 
humble hearts; with true faith; with earnest desires, 
that thy kingdom may come, and thy will be done on 
earth as it is done in heaven. May they approach 
thee, feeling that they plead for the salvation of a dying 
world; and give thee no rest until the righteousness of 
Zion go forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp 
that burneth. Do thou graciously hear and answer 
their supplications. Look in mercy upon a ruined 
world. Pity the nations that are sitting in the region 
and shadow of death; and may the sun of righteous- 
ness arise upon them with healing in his beams. May 
the dark places of the earth, now full of the habitations 
of cruelty, become the dwelling place of righteousness, 
and the abodes of peace. May the ignorant be enlight- 
ened; the wretched be comforted; the oppressed go 
free. May thy glorious gospel shed its blessings on all 
the nations of the earth; and all the means now used to 
advance the glory of the latter day, be crowned with 
success. 

Attend, O most merciful Father, all those who have 
gone to other lands, to make known the unsearchable 
riches of Christ. Give to them much of the spirit of 
thy dear Son. Give them wisdom to direct them — 
grace to support them in all their trials — success in all 
their efforts. Make them burning and shining lights 



64 FIRST WEEK. 

among the nations. May they be kept from sin, and 
temptation; from despondency, and doubt; from per- 
secution and want. In all their trials may they stay 
themselves on thee, and ever have an unshaken confi- 
dence in the promises of thy holy word. Keep by thy 
mighty power, all who among the heathen, have been 
converted to the Christian faith. Preserve them from 
temptation and apostacy. Afford them light and 
strength as they need, and amid all the trials with 
which they may meet, may they find thee to be a pre- 
sent help, a refuge and a strength. May they see more 
and more of the beauty of that religion which they 
profess, and daily rejoice more and more in hope of 
the glory of God. 

Advance, O Lord, all the great interests of man. 
May the blessings of civil and religious freedom — of 
Christian education, and of peace, be every where en- 
joyed. May wars, and rumours of wars cease. May 
the sword be beat into a ploughshare, and the spear 
into a pruning hook, and nations learn war no more. 
Let the mild and peaceful principles of thy glorious 
gospel every where prevail, and the ends of the earth 
soon be filled with thy glory.* 

We bless thee, for all thy former loving-kindnesses 
to this family, and pray that they may be continued to 
us, and sanctified to us. May the outgoings of the 
morning and evening of another day be made to re- 
joice. May we continually live under the shadow of 
thy wing, and the influence of thy grace: and let the 
w r ords of our mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, 
be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, our strength and 
our Redeemer. 

And unto Him that is able to do for us exceeding 
abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to 
the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the 
church, by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world 
without end. Amen. 



MONDAY EVENING. Jay. 

*Our Father, who art in heaven, we approach thee at 
the close of another day to render thee thanks for thy 
mercies, and to implore thy blessing on us and on all 



FIRST WEEK. 65 

mankind. Thy mercies are new to us every morning, 
fresh every evening, repeated every moment. To thy 
name we give thanks for our birth in a Christian land, 
and for all the mercy thou hast shown us in our lives. 
We thank thee for thy glorious gospel, that gospel 
which we have so long slighted and abused, and which 
thou art graciously continuing to us. We would re- 
member this night, that millions of our fellow beings 
are sitting in the region and shadow of death; that on 
them no light has risen, and none have gone to them to 
break to them the bread of life. Make us sensible of 
thy distinguishing mercy to us. May we remember 
that where much is given, there much will be required; 
and that soon we must appear at thy bar, with an as- 
sembled world, to render an account for the improve- 
ment of all our privileges.* 

We bless thee for a purpose of grace given us in 
Christ Jesus before the world began. We rejoice that 
in the fulness of time he assumed our nature, and be- 
came obedient unto death, even the death of the cross; 
and that as he was delivered for our offences, so he was 
raised again for our justification, and ascending up on 
high, entered into the holy place, as a proof of the suf- 
ficiency and acceptance of the sacrifice he offered. We 
rejoice that he has received the whole dispensation of 
the Spirit, and that in him all fulness dwells. And we 
bless thee for the proclamations of the gospel, which 
hold him forth to our view in all his grace and glory, 
and unsearchable riches, that we through patience and 
comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope. 

O thou God of hope, fill us with all joy and peace, in 
believing thy promises and invitations, that we may 
abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost. 
May we esteem all things but loss for the excellency of 
the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord; and may we 
supremely desire to win Christ, knowing that he who 
hath the Son of God hath life, and shall never come 
into condemnation. May we prove that we are joined 
to the Lord, by being one spirit with him, may our sen- 
timents, tempers, and conduct, be formed after the ex- 
ample which he left us; and may we never consider 
ourselves Christians, but as we long to be like him, and 
the life also of Jesus is made manifest in our mortal 
f 2 



66 FIRST WEEK. 

body. May we never love a world that crucified the 
Lord of glory; nor suffer those sins to live that caused 
him to die. May his grace, in becoming poor, that we 
through his poverty might be rich, make us ashamed 
of our selfishness; and may his love, in giving his life a 
ransom for us, so constrain us, as to render any ser- 
vices or sacrifices, for his sake, our delight. 

May he never be wounded in the house of his pro- 
fessed friends; may we rather die than bring a reproach 
upon his cause. May all his followers be dear to us. 
May we recommend him to those that know him not, 
that they may seek him, with us. Let the number of 
those who love his salvation, daily increase; and let the 
accessions include every member of our household, and 
all our absent friends. And hasten, O Lord, the blessed 
hour, when all kings shall fall down before him, and all 
nations shall serve him — and blessed be his glorious 
name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with 
his glory. 

*Be pleased, O Lord, to hear the prayers which thy 
people have this day offered in behalf of Zion. Grant 
an answer to the desires and supplications of thy peo- 
ple. Send out thy light and thy truth, and let all na- 
tions be illuminated with the gospel of thy grace. We 
commend to thee thy cause. We beseech thee to look 
in mercy upon the nations of the earth. We pray that 
thy people may be more deeply impressed with the 
wants and woes of man. Grant that thy people may 
more and more deny themselves; may feel more deeply 
affected in view of all the miseries and crimes of our 
race; and more earnestly desirous that all nations 
should hear thy gospel. We commend to thy care all 
Missionary, Tract, Bible, and Education Societies, and 
all the institutions of benevolence in our land, and 
throughout the world. May those who are called, in 
thy providence, to direct the charities of thy people, 
and to preside in the institutions of benevolence, be 
endowed with true wisdom, with conscientiousness, with 
a spirit of prayer, and with deep and expansive bene- 
volence. May they ever feel their responsibility, and 
in all their deliberations be conducted to such results 
as shall be for the glory of thy name, and for the speedy 
and universal extension of the gospel among the na- 



FIRST WEEK. 67 

tions of the earth. We pray that revivals of true reli- 
gion in all lands may be multiplied. We beseech thee 
to send forth more labourers into the harvest. May all 
our schools and colleges be under thy fostering care, 
and may the young men of this land, and this genera- 
tion, be imbued with the spirit of self-denial, and with 
a readiness to obey thy call in diffusing the blessings of 
civilization and Christianity among all men. May 
every continent and island partake of thy blessing, and 
every nation and tribe speedily hear in their own lan- 
guage the wonderful works of God. Let thy holy word 
be translated into all the languages of the earth, and 
every habitation of man be soon blessed with the ines- 
timable treasure of the word of life. 

Behold in mercy, O God, all who are oppressed. 
Especially look in tenderness upon benighted and in- 
jured Africa. Send to all her millions thy holy gospel, 
and may Christian nations soon be roused to repair her 
wrongs, and to send to that people so long injured and 
afflicted, the healing balm of life. Put a period, we do 
earnestly pray thee, to the traffic in human flesh. May 
the eyes of men be opened to the guilt and wo of this 
traffic, and their hearts feel, deeply feel, for that in- 
jured people. Remember, O Lord, all the sons of Af- 
rica who are held in bondage in all lands. May that 
gospel, which is sent to bind up the broken hearted, to 
proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the 
prison to them that are bound, be sent to all those lands, 
and may the prisoner speedily go free. Especially re- 
member all in bondage in our own land. Bless all the 
means that are used to promote their welfare; and 
soon may this land be freed from this burden, and all 
men here be admitted to the rights with which, by na- 
ture, thou hast endowed them. Direct to such means 
as may result in their freedom, in consistency with the 
peace and welfare of this nation; and grant that their 
captivity here, may yet be the means of bestowing 
the rich blessings of Christianity on the land of their 
fathers.* 

We praise thee as the length of our days and the 
God of our mercy. In the morning we committed 
ourselves to thy care, and thou hast been with us in our 
going out and our coming in; and hast kept us in all our 



68 FIRST WEEK. 

ways. Pardon whatever thou hast seen amiss in us 
through another period of our time. Accept the charge 
of us through the approaching night; and grant us the 
sleep which thou givest thy beloved; as we hope we 
desire it, not only as creatures, but as Christians; not 
only to gratify our feelings, but to renew our strength 
for thy service, and to fit us to glorify thee in our bo- 
dies as well as in our spirits, through our adorable Re- 
deemer. Amen. 



TUESDAY MORNING. Jay, 

O Thou, whose name also is Jehovah, the Most High 
over all the earth, we desire to adore the perfections of 
thy nature, and to admire the works of thy hands. May 
the united displays of thy greatness, and thy goodness, 
impress our minds, and influence our thoughts and af- 
fections, while we approach thee. 

Heaven is thy throne, and the earth is thy footstool. 
The universe, with all its creatures, was made by thy 
word, and is upholden by thy power; and thou dost ac- 
cording to thine own will in the army of heaven, and 
among the inhabitants of the earth; none can stay thy 
hand, or say unto thee, what doest thou? 

But thou art the Father of mercies, the God of all 
grace, and the God of all comfort. Even we, poor, 
mean, dying creatures, are not beneath thy care. Thou 
hast been mindful of us; thou hast visited us; and thy 
visitation hath preserved our spirits. The lines are 
fallen to us in pleasant places; yea, we have a goodly 
heritage; we live in a land of light; we have the scrip- 
tures in our hands, and our ears hear the joyful sound 
of the gospel. We know that thou hast not spared thine 
own son, but delivered him up for us all. We know 
that he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: 
that his blood cleanseth from all sin, and that whoso- 
ever believeth on him, shall not perish, but have ever- 
lasting life. 

We come in his name, and make mention of his 
righteousness only. We plead the obedience and suf- 
ferings of him who magnified the law, and made it ho- 
nourable. May we be justified by his blood; and may 



FIRST WEEK. 69 

we be saved by his life. May we be joined to the Lord, 
and of one spirit with him. May we deny ourselves, 
and take up our cross, and follow him. May the agency 
of thy Holy Spirit prepare us for all the dispensations 
of thy providence. May we be willing that the Lord 
should choose our inheritance for us, and determine 
what we shall retain or lose; what we shall suffer or 
enjoy. 

If indulged with prosperity, may we be secured from 
its snares, and use its advantages as not abusing them. 
And may we patiently and cheerfully submit to those 
afflictions, which are necessary to hedge up our way 
when we are tempted to wander, to excite an abhor- 
rence of sin, to wean us from the present evil world, 
and to make us partakers of thy holiness. In whatso- 
ever state we are, may we be therewith content. Only 
assure us, that thou wilt be with us in trouble, and, that 
at the end of the vale of tears, we shall enter Emma- 
nuel's land, where the inhabitants no more say, I am 
sick; where our sun shall no more go down, nor our 
moon withdraw itself, but God shall be our everlasting 
light, and the days of our mourning shall be ended. 

May our friends and relations be fellow-heirs with us 
of the grace of life. Let our house be the tabernacle 
of the righteous: let our children and servants be a seed 
to serve thee: and among none of those who surround 
this family altar, may there be weeping and wailing, and 
gnashing of teeth, when they shall see Abraham, and 
Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of God, and they 
themselves shut out. 

Lord, help us all to view our religious opportunities 
as talents, for which we are accountable: to remember, 
that our greatest danger results from our highest pri- 
vileges; and to fear, lest a promise being left us of en- 
tering into thy rest, any of us should seem to come short 
of it. 

Thou hast determined the bounds of our habitation; 
and by the events of thy providence, many of those in 
whose society we delight, are separated from us. When 
we are absent in body, may we be often present in spi- 
rit. We commend our absent friends and kindred to 
thy covenant care. May no evil tidings concerning 
them, wound our hearts: spare them in mercy: may we 



70 FIRST WEEK. 

often embrace each other in circumstances of health 
and comfort: or if we have had our last interview on 
earth, may we all meet in our heavenly Father's house, 
and be for ever with each other, and for ever with the 
Lord. 

*In the duties of this day, be graciously pleased to be 
with us. Preserve us from temptations, and the allure- 
ments of the world. Defend us from danger, and pre- 
pare us for whatever may be thy will in regard to us. 
In all circumstances may we evince the christian spirit; 
be kept from anger, and pride, and ambition; from 
envy, hatred and malice, and all uncharitableness. May 
we be diligent in business; fervent in spirit; serving the 
Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; conti- 
nuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of 
saints; given to hospitality. May we rejoice with them 
who do rejoice, and weep with them who weep. Help 
us to provide things honest in the sight cf all men; and 
to live peaceably with all. To the end of our lives may 
we be the humble, and consistent followers of Jesus 
Christ, so that at last, through his merits, we may, 
with all thy people, be admitted to the joys of thy king- 
dom above.* 

And to the only wise God, our Saviour, be praise and 
glory everlasting. Amen. 



TUESDAY EVENING. Jay. 

O Thou King of Glory, we desire to approach thy 
divine Majesty with reverence and godly fear, and to 
worship thee in the beauty of holiness. Every perfec- 
tion adorns thy nature, and sustains thy throne. The 
heavens are thine; the earth also is thine: the world is 
thine, and the fulness thereof. Thy power formed the 
universe from nothing. Thy wisdom has managed all 
its multiplied concerns, presiding over nations, families, 
and individuals, and numbering the very hairs of our 
head. Thy goodness is boundless; the eyes of all wait 
upon thee, and thou givest them their meat in due sea- 
son. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire 
of every living thing. How precious are the thoughts 
of thy mercy and grace— and so excellent is thy loving 



FIRST WEEK. 71 

kindness, that even the children of men, put their trust 
under the shadow of thy wing. 

Thou art the blessed and happy God. O, teach us 
to place our happiness in thyself. May we never seek 
the living among the dead, nor ask with the deluded 
many, Who will show us any good? But, may we prize 
the light of thy countenance; implore the joy of thy sal- 
vation ; and passing by the attractions of creatures, be 
able to say, Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there 
is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 

Thou hast been infinitely more attentive to our hap- 
piness than we ever have been, or ever can be. Thou 
madest man upright, and when, by voluntary transgres- 
sion, we fell away from thee, thou didst not treat us with 
the severity, or the neglect we deserved. In thy love and 
pity thou wa*t pleased to provide for us a Saviour, who 
bore our griefs and carried our sorrows, and put away 
sin by the sacrifice of himself. 

Apply this redemption to our hearts, by the justifica- 
tion of our persons, and the sanctification of our natures. 
We confess our transgressions — Have mercy upon us. 
We are heavy laden — Give us rest. We are ignorant 
—make us wise unto salvation. We are helpless — Let 
thy strength be made perfect in our weakness. We are 
poor and needy. Bless us with all the unsearchable 
riches of Christ. May we run and not be weary, and 
walk and not faint. And though perplexities, and trials, 
and dangers await us, yet may we trave^ on, unchecked 
and undismayed, knowing, thou hast said, I will never 
leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

Thus far, blessed be thy name, thou hast led us on, 
and we have found thee faithful to thy promises. We 
have had our sorrows; but thou hast been a very pre- 
sent help in every time of trouble. We have had our 
fears; but thou hast not suffered the enemy to triumph 
over us. We have sometimes been on the verge of de- 
spair, and have said, I am cast out of thy sight: but we 
have been enabled to look again towards thy holy tem- 
ple; and the shadow of death has been turned in the 
morning. Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. Thy vows 
are upon us, O God: we will render praises unto thee, 
for thou hast delivered our souls from death: wilt not 



72 FIRST WEEK. 

thou deliver our feet from falling, that we may walk 
before God in the light of the living? 

We would feel the connexions which unite us to 
others, and by sympathy, and prayer, and praise, make 
their miseries and mercies our own. We would rejoice 
with those that rejoice, and weep with those that weep. 
Provide support and employment for the poor. Make 
the widow's heart to sing for joy: and in thee, may the 
fatherless find mercy. Visit those who are on beds of 
sickness, and prepare them for thy pleasure; that if 
they live, it may be to serve thee. Bless our nation. 
May every department of the nation be under the con- 
trol of infinite wisdom and goodness; and let righteous- 
ness and peace be the stability of our times. Do good, 
in thy good pleasure unto Zion; build thou the walls of 
Jerusalem: and may all our churches, like the original 
discipks, continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, 
and in fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in 
prayers. 

Protect and refresh us through the night season: and 
then cause us to hear thy loving-kindness in the morn- 
ing; for in thee do we trust; cause us to know the way 
wherein we should go, for we lift up our souls unto 
thee. We implore it through the intercession of thy 
dear Son, and our Saviour. 

And blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be 
unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the 
Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen. 



WEDNESDAY MORNING. Jay. 

O Thou Most High 1 enable us to feel, and to express, 
becoming regards towards thee, as the Creator of the 
ends of the earth, the Preserver of men, the Governor 
of the universe, the Judge of all, the Saviour of sinners. 
Thy greatness is unsearchable, and thy goodness is in- 
finite. It is because thy compassions fail not, that we 
are not consumed. Thou hast not only prolonged our 
unworthy lives under numberless provocations, but thou 
hast afforded us every needful supply and indulgence. 
Thy mercies have been new every morning and every 
moment. Through thy good hand upon us we have 



FIRST WEEK. 73 

been rescued from the perils of another night; our re- 
| pose has been unterrified and undisturbed; sleep has 
refreshed our bodies, and renewed our strength; and 
we find ourselves surrounded, at the commencement of 
another day, with all our accustomed privileges. 

But, O God, we can never be sufficiently thankful 
that we have our existence in a Christian country, and 
where we can hear words, by which we may be saved. 
O, how important, how suitable, how encouraging are 
the discoveries, the doctrines, the promises, the invita- 
tions of the gospel of peace. We are lost; but here is 
presented to us a free, full, and everlasting salvation. 
We are left without strength; but here we learn, that 
help is laid on one that is mighty. We are poor and 
needy; but here we behold the unsearchable riches of 
Christ. We are blind and ignorant; but in him are 
hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. We 
thank thee, O God, for thine unspeakable gift, and we 
cordially accept of thy mercy extended to us, through 
the mediation of thy dear Son. We rejoice that he has 
been delivered for our offences, and raised again for our 
justification; and that he is now exalted at thy right 
hand, to be a Prince and a Saviour. We abandon every 
other refuge to hide in, and every other foundation to 
build upon, and make him our only hope, and our only 
confidence. And while we depend on his death, and 
make mention of his righteousness only, we admire 
his example, and desire to be conformed to his image. 
May w r e put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and increasingly 
resemble him, whose life was beneficence; whose soul 
was meekness and humility; who pleased not himself; 
and who, of obedience the most trying and difficult, 
could say, I delight to do thy will, O my God, yea, thy 
law is within my heart. May his glory fill our minds; 
may his love reign in our affections; and at his cross, 
and at his tomb, may we burn with ardour to live, not 
to ourselves, but to him that died for us and rose again. 
Let the number of his followers daily increase; and 
may none of our friends be found among his enemies. 
Pour thy Spirit upon our seed, and thy blessing upon 
our offspring. Let our sons be as plants grown up in 
their youth, and our daughters as corner stones, po- 
lished after the similitude of a palace. May our do- 



T4 FIRST WEEK. 

mestics be the servants of God; may they do his will 
from the hearty and be prepared for that world, where 
those who serve will be as those who are served, and all 
the distinctions now necessary, will be done away, and 
none remain, but those which arise from character. 
And whatever be our conditions in life, may we fill 
them as Christians; may we escape the snares to 
which they expose us; discharge the duties that grow 
out of their circumstances; enjoy with moderation and 
gratitude their advantages; and improve with decision 
and diligence, their opportunities and resources of use- 
fulness. May every place and every company, in which 
we are found, be benefited by us. 

And whatever may be the opinion of our fellow crea- 
tures concerning us, may we be satisfied and happy, in 
having the testimony that we please God. We are 
now going forth into the concerns of another day. Take 
us under thy protection and influence. Guide us in all 
our steps. Enable us to realize thy presence and thy 
providence. Succeed us in all our lawful endeavours, 
or prepare us for disappointment; and assure us that 
we are in the number of those to whom all things are 
working together for good; and who will forever ac- 
knowledge—marvellous are thy works, Lord God Al- 
mighty, just and true are all thy ways, O thou King of 
saints. 

* We ask these mercies, sensible of our guilt and un- 
worthiness. We come not in our own names, and we 
plead no merit of our own. We come in the worthy 
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, and 
who ever lives to make intercession for us; and we de- 
sire to ascribe to him, with the Father and the Holy Spi- 
rit, all praise, power, glory, and dominion, both now and 
forever.* Amen. 



WEDNESDAY EVENING. Jay. 

Our Father, who art in heaven, we desire to acknow- 
ledge thy Being and agency; to adore thy perfections, 
and to admire the works of thy hands. Thou hast 
made summer and winter. Thou hast appointed the 
moon for seasons, and the sun knoweth his going down. 



FIRST WEEK. 75 

The day is thine ; the night also is thine: and thou 
makest the outgoings of the morning and the evening 
to rejoice. To that throne, from which none were ever 
sent empty away, we again approach for mercy and 
grace to help in time of need. Let our prayer come 
before thee as incense, and the lifting up of our hands 
as the evening sacrifice. Preserve us from formality in 
these exercises in which we so daily engage; and alarm 
our fears, lest we should provoke thee to say, in vain 
do they worship me. 

For this purpose, enable us to realize thine all seeing 
eye, to remember with whom we have to do, and what 
we have to do with him: may we deeply feel the guilt 
of the sins we confess, and hunger and thirst after the 
blessings we implore. And while we review the num- 
berless blessings we have received from thy hands, may 
we be more than ever sensible of our unworthiness, that 
our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we 
may be disposed to show forth thy praise, not only with 
our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to thy 
service, and walking before thee in holiness and righte- 
ousness all our days. 

He that is our God is the God of salvation, and unto 
God the Lord belong the issues from death. We bless 
thee this evening as the preserver of men. Another 
day has been added, by thy good providence, to the 
season of thy long suffering, and the time of our prepa- 
ration for eternity We lament that the design of our 
being placed and continued here, has been so imper- 
fectly subserved; that in so many things we have of- 
fended, and in all, come short of the glory of God. If, 
where much is given, much will be required, and the 
servant who knew his Lord's will and did it not, shall 
be beaten with many stripes — if thou, Lord, should 
mark our iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? We 
cannot answer thee for one of a thousand of our trans- 
gressions: the review of a single day is enough to 
plunge us into despair — our only relief is, that there 
is forgiveness with thee; and that with thee there is 
plenteous redemption. 

But while we hope in thy mercy, we would not abuse 
it. We would not sin that grace may abound; or be 
evil, because thou art good. But since thou art good, 



76 FIRST WEEK. 

and ready to forgive, we would the more sincerely 
grieve, that ever we have offended a being, so worthy 
of our devotedness; and be the more concerned in fu- 
ture, to walk so as to please thee. 

Create in us a clean heart, and renew a right spirit 
within us. Set a watch, O God, upon our mouth; 
keep the door of our lips. And in simplicity and godly 
sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by thy grace, 
may we have our conversation in the world, and in the 
church, and in the family. 

We again commend ourselves to thy care. As thou 
hast been through the day, our sun and our shield, be 
thou through the night, our shade and our defence. 
Undisturbed by anxieties, unalarmed by fears, undis- 
tressed by pain or indisposition, may we retire and en- 
joy repose. Remind us, by putting off our garments, 
and lying down to sleep, of puting off the body, and 
sleeping in the grave, the house appointed for all liv- 
ing. Prepare us for the night of death, the morning of 
the resurrection, and the day of judgment. 

And all we implore is, through the mediation of him, 
who bore the sins of many, and made intercession for 
the transgressors, to whom, with the Father, and the 
Holy Spirit, be endless prayers. Amen. 



THURSDAY MORNING. Jay. 

O Lord our God, blessed is the man whom thou 
choosest, and causest to approach unto thee. In thy 
presence there is fulness of joy, and at thy right hand 
there are pleasures forever more. With thee is the 
fountain of life, and in thy light alone can we see light. 

We therefore entreat thy favour, with our whole 
heart. We acknowledge that we have forfeited all 
claims to it; and if we had no better ground of hope 
than our deservings, we must sink into despair. For 
against thee, thee only have we sinned, and done evil in 
thy sight, that thou mightest be justified when thou 
speakest, and clear when thou judgest. 

But with thee there is mercy, and with thee there is 
plenteous redemption. We bless thee for the assurance, 



FIRST WEEK. 77 

that thou hast sent thy own Son into the world, not to 
condemn the world, but that the world, through him, 
might be saved. We rejoice, that neither the number 
nor heinousness of our transgressions, is a bar to that 
forgiveness, which is founded on the sufferings and sa- 
crifice of the cross. The blood of Jesus Christ, thy 
Son, cleanseth from all sin. Graciously absolve us from 
our guilt; and pronounce our discharge from all con- 
demnation, that being justified by faith, we may have 
peace with God, and enjoy the glorious liberty of thy 
children. 

But, O, save us from the hope of the hypocrite, which 
shall perish. Never suffer us to impose upon our- 
selves, in any thing that relates to our eternal state. 
May we never suppose that we are in Christ, unless we 
are new creatures; or that we are born of the Spirit, 
unless we mind the things of the Spirit. May we 
never rest satisfied with any professions of belief, or 
any outward forms or services, while the heart is not 
right with God. May we judge of our sincerity in re- 
ligion, by our fear to offend thee; by our concern to 
know what thou wilt have us to do; and by our will- 
ingness to deny ourselves, and take up our cross and 
follow the Lamb, whithersoever he goeth. 

May nothing render us forgetful of thy glory; may 
nothing turn us aside from thy commands; may noth- 
ing shake our confidence in thy promises. Take from 
us the evil heart of unbelief; the cause of all our wa- 
verings and wanderings; may we believe that we may 
be established in our goings, and be always abounding 
in the work of the Lord. 

Prepare us for whatever we have to meet with, be- 
tween this morning and the grave. We know not what 
lies before us; but thou knowest, and thy grace can 
make us sufficient for every service and every suffer- 
ing. 

Let not our temporal occupations ever injure our 
spiritual concerns; or the cares of this life make us for- 
get, or neglect, the one thing needful; may we learn the 
holy art of abiding with God in our callings; of being 
in the world without being of it; and of making every 
thing not only consistent with religion, but conducive 
to it. 

g2 



78 FIRST WEEK. 

May we do, and may we say nothing, by which we 
shall offend against the generation of thy children. 
May we bear the infirmities of the weak, and not please 
ourselves. May we restore a brother that has been 
overtaken in a fault, in the spirit of meekness, consi- 
dering ourselves, lest we also be tempted. 

Bless those who have done us good, and render seven 
fold into their own bosom, and forgive those who have 
done us evil, and enable us to forgive them. 

Bless those who are near and dear to us; may they 
be near and dear to thee. Bless them in their outward 
comforts; but above all, may their souls prosper. 

Be gracious to our native land. Be mindful of our 
rulers. Teach our senators wisdom; and so control 
the minds and hearts of those who are entrusted with 
the public welfare, as that they may glorify thee, and se- 
cure the best good of the people. Bless the gates of 
Zion, and all the dwellings of Jacob. Let thy secret 
reside in the families of them that fear thee; and may 
those that have neglected to call upon thy name, imme- 
diately adopt the resolution of Joshua, as for me and 
my house, we will serve the Lord. 

*To thy merciful providence we owe it, that we have 
been preserved another night. We thank thee that 
thou hast kept us from the pestilence that walketh in 
darkness, and the destruction that wasteth by noon- 
day. We thank thee that thine eyes have been open to- 
wards us, and that no plague has come nigh our dwell- 
ing. May we realize this morning that our lives are 
thy gift, and that we are brought under renewed obli- 
gations to devote ourselves to thy service. With this 
feeling deeply engraved on our souls, wkfe a deep and 
solemn conviction that all we have is thine, may we go 
forth to meet the various trials, dangers, and duties of 
the day before us. May we go forth to our work and 
our labour until evening, under thy merciful providence. 
Bless thou the work of our hands; and at the close of 
the day gather us together in safety and in health, to 
offer to thee an acceptable sacrifice of praise and 
thanksgiving.* 

This morning sacrifice, we offer in the all prevailing 
name of our adorable Redeemer — and unto him that 
loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 



FIRST WEEK. 79 

and hath made us kings and priests unto God, and to 
his Father, to him be glory and dominion, for ever and 
ever. Amen. 



THURSDAY EVENING. Jay. 

O God, all thy works praise thee, and thy saints 
bless thee. By thy mercies, we again surround this 
family altar, and engage in the exercises of devotion. 
May we worship thee, a holy God, in the beauty of 
holiness; and worship thee, who art a Spirit, in spirit 
and in truth. Such worship alone thy word requires; 
but such worship, thy grace alone can enable us to 
render. For we know, from thy word', and from our 
own experience we know, that without thee, we can do 
nothing. All our sufficiency is of thee: do thou work 
in us to will, and to do, of thy good pleasure. 

We would call to remembrance our true character 
and condition before thee. We would not go about to 
establish our own righteousness, or seek to deny or ex- 
tenuate our guilt. We are not only unprofitable ser- 
vants, but condemned criminals. We confess the num- 
ber and offensiveness of our transgressions, and ac- 
knowledge that we deserve to perish. But we bless 
thee for the everlasting consolation and good hope, 
through grace, which the gospel affords; for the news 
of a Mediator between thee and us; of a High Priest 
who has put away sin by the sacrifice of himself; of an 
Advocate with the Father, who ever lives to make in- 
tercession for us, and of a Saviour, in whom it has 
pleased thee, that all fulness should dwell. 

Produce in us, all the feelings of those who are bless- 
ed with repentance unto life. Give us that faith by 
which we can be justified from all things, and have 
peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. To 
the Redeemer's cross may we retreat, and there find 
security and relief, refreshment and delight. Assure 
us of an interest in thy favour, which is life; and clothe 
us with thine image, which is the beauty and dignity 
of the soul. 

We bless thee for thy word, which we have been 
reading. May it dwell in us richly in all wisdom. 



80 FIRST WEEK. 

May we yield a suitable attention to its various parts. 
May we make it, not only our song in the house of our 
pilgrimage, but the man of our counsel, a light unto 
our feet, and a lamp unto our paths. May we take it 
along with us, into all the concerns of life; and whether 
we are rich or poor, whether we are parents or chil- 
dren, whether we are appointed to govern or serve, 
may we walk by this rule, that mercy and peace may 
be upon us. 

May we ever be willing that the Lord should choose 
our inheritance for us, and readily and piously accom- 
modate ourselves to the dispensations of thy provi- 
dence. May we never lean to our own understanding: 
may we never take a step, without asking counsel of 
the Lord, nor be unwilling to take one, at the intima- 
tion of thy pleasure. May we never think that thou 
art less wise, and righteous, and good, in a cloudy and 
dark day, than in a shining one; when we cannot trace 
thee, may we trust; and walking by faith, and not by 
sight, be fully persuaded, that just and right are all thy 
ways, O thou King of saints. 

Regard those, who, under the pressure of affliction, 
are saying, Brethren pray for us. Be with them in 
trouble. Thou knowest the anxieties of thy people, 
lest by any of their temper or carriage in the evil day, 
they should injure the religion they profess: let thy 
grace be sufficient for them: let faith and patience have 
their perfect work: let them glorify thee in all their 
trials. 

Bless all in authority over us, and so rule their hearts 
and strengthen their hands, that they may punish wick- 
edness and vice, and maintain true religion and virtue. 

May all those who are placed above others in condi- 
tion, go before them in the profession of truth and the 
practice of holiness, and be examples to all inferior 
ranks in society. 

*We now commit ourselves to thy merciful protec- 
tion for this night. May wejie down to rest at peace 
with thee, and with all the world. Forgive, we humbly 
pray thee, all the sins we may have committed this 
day. Whatever we have done or said amiss, do thou 
pardon. If in our intercourse with our friends or 
foes we have'manifested a spirit unlike that of thy dear 



FIRST WEEK. 8l 

Son, do thou be graciously pleased to forgive it. If we 
have neglected our duty to the poor, or the needy; if 
we have failed in setting a holy example before each 
other; if we have had improper feelings towards thee, 
or our fellow men, we pray thee to forgive us. Sprinkle 
upon us that blood which cleanseth from all sin; and 
take us into thy holy care and keeping. Let no plague 
come nigh our dwelling. Preserve us from sickness 
and sudden death; from alarm, and from the devouring 
element; from the pestilence that walketh in darkness, 
as thou hast done from the destruction that wasteth at 
noon-day. And raise us in the morning, fitted for all 
the duties and events of another day. These mercies, 
and whatever else we need, we humbly ask in the name 
of thy dear Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ; to whom, 
with thee, and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and praise, 
both now and for ever. Amen* 



FRIDAY MORNING. Jay. 

Our voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord: 
in the morning will we direct our prayer unto thee, O 
thou Most High! How does it become us to be thank- 
ful! Many, during the past night, have had no place 
where to lay their head. Many, the victims of disease, 
have been full of tossing to and fro, until the dawning of 
the day; so that their bed has not comforted them, nor 
their couch eased their complaint. Many have been 
deprived of rest while watching over their connexions 
in pain and sorrow. How many have slept the sleep 
of death, and will not wake till the heavens are no more! 
Others, whose lives are prolonged, have risen to be sur- 
rounded with want and wo: and thousands, who have 
all things richly to enjoy, have risen to enjoy another 
day without God in the world. 

And why is not this the case with us? Thou, O God, 
hast remembered, and distinguished, and indulged us. 
Bless the Lord, O our souls, and all that is within us 
bless his holy name. O magnify the Lord, and let us 
exalt his name together. 

And thy mercies have been new every morning, yea, 
every moment. All our desires have not been gratified; 



82 FIRST WEEK. 

but it was love that denied us, when the accomplish- 
ment of our wishes would have proved our ruin or our 
injury; we have had our trials, but they have been few 
compared with our sins; they have been attended with 
numberless alleviations. 

Thou hast often wiped away our tears; and restored 
peace to thy mourners. Thou hast never chastened us 
but for our profit; we already see the design of many 
of our griefs, and can say, It is good for me that I have 
been afflicted, and in all other cases where darkness yet 
clouds the dispensation, we desire to walk by faith. 
We believe that thou hast done all things well, and that 
thy work is perfect. 

But, O, what do we owe thee for the word of thy 
truth — the throne of thy grace — the Son of thy love — 
thy unspeakable gift; what do we owe thee, that we 
have any reason to hope that we are in Christ, and free 
from all condemnation; and that when he, who is our 
life, shall appear, we shall also appear with him in glory, 
and be forever with the Lord! 

Surely, gratitude becomes us that will not evaporate 
in a morning acknowledgment with the lip, but such 
as will keep us in the fear of the Lord all the day long, 
and lead us to ask, What shall I render unto the Lord 
for all his benefits towards me? We therefore, by the 
mercies of God, present our bodies a living sacrifice, 
holy and acceptable unto thee, which is our reasonable 
service. 

And now, O thou Author of all good, we come to 
thee for the grace another day will require — the grace 
its duties and events will require; for we know not 
when we leave our apartments in the morning, what a 
day will bring forth. But we know that we are step- 
ping into a wicked world, and that we carry about us 
an evil heart: we know that without thee we can do no- 
thing: and we know that there is nothing with which we 
shall have any concern in the day, however harmless in 
in itself, but may prove an occasion of sinning and fall- 
ing, unless we are kept by the power of God. We, 
therefore, desire to commit ourselves into thy holy 
keeping. Hold thou us up, and we shall be safe. Pre- 
serve our understandings from the subtlety of error; our 
affections from the love of idols; our senses from the 



FIRST WEEK. 83 

ungovernable impressions of outward objects; our cha- 
racter from every stain of vice, and our profession 
from every appearance of evil: and may the God of 
peace sanctify us wholly; and may our whole spirit, 
soul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming; 
of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

May we engage in nothing on which we cannot im- 
plore thy blessing, and to which we cannot welcome 
thy inspection. Prosper us in our lawful undertakings, 
or prepare us for disappointment. Give us neither po- 
verty nor riches. Feed us with food convenient for us, 
lest we be full and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? 
or lest we be poor, and steal, and take the name of our 
God in vain. 

May every creature be good to us, being sanctified 
by the word of God and prayer. Teach us how to use 
the world as not abusing it. Enable us to improve our 
talents, and to redeem our time. May we walk in wis- 
dom towards them that are without, and in kindness 
towards them that are within; and do good as we have 
opportunity unto all men, especially unto them that are 
of the household of faith. 

And unto him that is able to keep us from falling, 
and to present us faultless before the presence of his 
glory with exceeding joy: to the only wise God, our 
Saviour, be glory, and majesty, dominion, and power, 
both now and ever. Jlmen. 



FRIDAY EVENING. Jay. 

O God, thy command and thy promise, our duty and 
our privilege, induce us to avail ourselves of every op- 
portunity of approaching the throne of thy grace. We 
are poor and helpless and needy. It is not in the power 
of men and angels to reach our cause; and afford us the 
blessings we so much need, and so much desire. Our 
only hope is in the name of the Lord God, who made 
heaven and earth. 

But thou art over all; and rich unto all that call upon 
thee; and thou Lord hast not forsaken them that seek 
thee. We love to reflect upon the displays of thy per- 
fections; and to contemplate, what thou hast done for 



84 FIRST WEEK. 

others as poor and destitute, as sinful and guilty, as 
we are: and to remember that thy hand is not short- 
ened that it cannot save, nor thy ear heavy that it can- 
not hear. 

Behold a company of guilty suppliants at thy foot- 
stool. O, thou God of all grace, work thou in us to 
will and to do of thy good pleasure; and vile as we are 
in ourselves, make us an eternal excellency, the joy of 
many generations. Our understandings are darkened^ 
Our hearts are hearts of stone. Our very conscience 
also is defiled. Our affections are earthly and sensual. 
Open thou the eyes of our understanding. Give us 
hearts of flesh. Purify our consciences from dead works 
to serve the living God. Set our affections on things 
that are above: and as he who has called us is holy, so 
may we also be holy in all manner of conversation and 
godliness. 

Deliver us from the bondage of corruption, and bring 
us into the glorious liberty of thy children: that being 
made free from sin, and become servants unto God, we 
may have our fruit unto holiness, and our end everlast- 
ing life. 

Preserve us from all self-delusion, especially where 
our souls are concerned. May we never be flattered by 
the good opinion of our fellow-creatures, against the 
convictions of our own consciences; but remember, that 
if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our 
hearts, and knoweth all things. May we never substi- 
tute mere opinions, and outward forms and ceremonies, 
in the room of that grace, which renews the soul and 
sanctifies the life. Ever keep alive in our minds the 
belief, that in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision avail- 
eth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature: 
and in the examinations of our religious state and cha- 
racter, may we look after that kingdom, which is not 
meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy 
in the Holy Ghost. 

Inspire us with a well-grounded hope of being, one 
day, presented before the presence of thy glory; when 
we shall see thee without obscurity, approach thee 
without sin, serve thee without imperfection, and enjoy 
thee without sorrow. How remote now do we often 
feel from this exalted state? And how improbable does 



FIRST WEEK. 85 

it frequently seem that we should ever attain it? We 
have never yet been better than a bruised reed, and a 
smoking flax: and thy patience alone could have borne 
with our imperfections and perverseness. Yet we trust 
the root of the matter is found in us,* and we bless thee, 
if thy grace — by which alone we are what we are, has 
caused us to loathe sin, and abhor ourselves, and to hun- 
ger and thirst after righteousness, and to place our 
happiness in serving and enjoying thee. 

And we pray, that our path may be as a shining light, 
that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Com- 
plete that which is lacking in our faith. Lead us into 
all truth; and establish our hearts with grace. Fill our 
minds with the sublime and elevating objects of reve- 
lation, that worldly things may find there no room: and 
keep near us, all the affecting and awful motives of the 
gospel, that we may not be able to sin, — the view of 
thine all-seeing eye, a burning world, a judgment to 
come, and the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

And the Lord make us, also, to increase and abound 
in love, one towards another, and towards all men. Let 
all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and 
evil speaking, be put away from us, with all malice; 
and may we be kind, one towards another, tender heart- 
ed; forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's 
sake, hath forgiven us. 

Prepare us for all the duties and trials that lie before 
us. We bless thee for thy promises, which provide 
against every want we feel; and for every condition in 
which we can be found. In God will we praise his 
word. In God have we put our trust. We will not 
fear what flesh can do unto us. Thou tellest our wan- 
derings. Put thou our tears into thy bottle. Are they 
not in thy book? 

We commend ourselves with all our relations and 
friends, this evening, to thy forgiving mercy, and pro- 
vidential care. O Thou, that givest thy beloved sleep, 
indulge us with refreshing repose; or if thou holdest 
our eyes waking in the night, may thy song be with 
us, and our prayer unto the God of our life. Guide us 
by thy counsel, through life, and afterward receive us 
to glory. 



86 FIRST WEEK. 

And to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory, 
and majesty, dominion and power, for ever and ever. 
Amen, 



SATURDAY MORNING. Jay. 

O Thou King eternal, immortal, and invisible — we 
would adore thee, and take shame to ourselves: and 
though allowed to approach thy divine majesty, we 
would never forget the sentiments of humiliation and 
contrition, which become such creatures as we are. 
Father! we have sinned against heaven and in thy 
sight, and are not worthy to be called thy children: we 
are not worthy of the least of all thy mercies. Yea, we 
have merited thy displeasure; :^nd thy righteousness 
would be completely acquitted in our destruction. 

O, for hearts of flesh! Lord, produce in us that sen- 
sibility of soul, which will lead *us to feel our vileness, 
to deplore our guilt, and to cast ourselves at thy feet, 
abhorring ourselves, and repenting in dust and ashes. 
And impart to us that faith, which will enable us, to 
hope in thy word, and derive strong consolation from 
the invitations and promises of the gospel. We are 
come to implore the greatest blessings the God of love 
can give: we are come to call thee, Abba Father; to 
enter thy house; to sit down at thy table; to lean on 
thy arm; to walk with God; but we are not come un- 
bidden or uncalled: Thou hast called us by thy grace; 
and it is thy commandment that we should believe on 
the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, we assent, 
we submit, we depend, we apply. Since he came into 
the world to save sinners, we take him as our Saviour; 
and glory in him, as made to us wisdom and righteous- 
ness, sanctification and redemption. 

And O, may our minds be fixed and filled with ad- 
miring thoughts of his person and offices; may our 
hearts be inflamed with a sense of his boundless com- 
passion and love. By the new and living way which 
he has not only revealed but consecrated for us, may 
we come to thee; and enjoy all the advantages of a 
state of reconciliation and friendship with God. May 
the most open and familiar intercourse, be maintained, 



FIRST WEEK. 87 

between thee and our souls. To thee may we commit 
our way and our works; and in every thing by prayer 
and supplication make known our requests unto God; 
and be thou always near, to guide us and to defend; 
to relieve us in trouble, and to help us in duty. And 
may we walk humbly with our God; wondering at the 
condescension, that deigns to regard our mean affairs; 
the patience, that bears with our manners; and the 
kindness, that employs so many means to advance our 
everlasting welfare. 

We grieve to think, that a world so full of thy boun- 
ty, should be so empty of thy praise. O, that men 
would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his 
wonderful works to the children of men. Bless the 
Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion; bless 
the Lord, O my soul. 

Again thy visitation hath preserved our spirits. 
Through the dark and silent watches of the night, thou 
hast suffered no evil to befall us, nor any plague to 
come nigh our dwelling. And we are not only the 
living to praise thee, this morning, but the distinguish- 
ed, and the indulged. Many who have seen the light 
of the day, as well as ourselves, are encompassed with 
want, and pain, and wretchedness; but we have all 
things richly to enjoy. 

Thou takest pleasure in the prosperity of thy ser- 
vants; may we always take pleasure in the advance- 
ment of thy glory. Thou art never weary in doing us 
good; may we never grow weary in well doing. Thy 
mercies are new every morning; every morning, by 
thy mercies, may we present our bodies a living sacri- 
fice, holy, and acceptable, which is our reasonable 
service. 

And to the God of our salvation, the Father, the Son, 
and the Holy Spirit, be ascribed, the kingdom, the 
power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 



SATURDAY EVENING. Jay. 

O God, thou hast made, and thou upholdest all 
things by the word of thy power. Darkness is thy pa- 
vilion. Thou walkest upon the wings of the wind. AU 



88 FIRST WEEK. 

nations before thee are as nothing. One generation 
passeth away, and another cometh; and we are hasten- 
ing back to the dust from whence we were taken. The 
heavens we behold will vanish away like the cloud that 
covers them; and the earth we tread will dissolve like 
a morning dream; but thou art, from everlasting to 
everlasting, God over all, unchangeably the same, and 
thy years shall not fail. 

Infinitely great and glorious as thou art, we are thy 
offspring and thy care. Thy hands have made us and 
fashioned us. Thou hast watched over us with more 
than parental tenderness. Thou hast holden our soul 
in life, and not suffered our feet to be moved. Thy di- 
vine power has given us all things, not only necessary 
for life, but godliness. Bless the Lord, O, our souls, 
and forget not all his benefits; who forgiveth all our 
iniquities; who healeth all our diseases; who redeem- 
eth our lives from destruction; who crowneth us with 
loving kindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth our 
mouth with good things, so that our youth is renewed 
like the eagles'. 

We raise this evening a fresh memorial, and inscribe 
it to the God of our salvation. Hitherto hath the Lord 
helped us. We have passed, not only through another 
day, but through another week. The sun has not smit- 
ten us by day, nor the moon by night. We have been 
preserved in our going out, and coming in. But thine 
has been the vigilance, that turned aside the evils 
which threatened us. Thine have been the supplies 
that have nourished us. Thine the comforts that have 
indulged us. Thine the relations and friends that have 
delighted us. Thine have been the means of grace 
which have edified us; and thine the book, which, 
amidst all our enjoyments, has told us, that this is not 
our rest; and in all our successes, that one thing is yet 
needful. 

Nothing can equal the number of thy mercies, but 
our imperfections and sins. These, O God, we would 
not conceal, or palliate; but confess them, with a broken 
heart and a contrite spirit. 

In what a condition would we be this evening, were 
it not for the assurance that there is forgiveness with 
thee, that thou mayest be feared, and with thee plen» 



FIRST WEEK. 89 

teous redemption. Yet, while we hope for pardon 
through the blood of the cross, we pray to be clothed 
with humility; to be quickened in thy way; and to be 
more devoted to the things that belong to our everlast- 
ing peace. 

How soon has the week rolled away! Its days have 
fled like a dream, a vapour, a shadow. So will all our 
days flee; so will they all appear when the end arrives. 
O, help us to keep that end in remembrance; and en- 
deavour to view things now, as they will appear from 
the borders of the grave. May we know how frail we 
are, that we may be cured of the folly of delay and in- 
decision; and so number our days, that we may apply 
our hearts unto wisdom. 

May we call the approaching Sabbath a delight, the 
holy of the Lord, honourable; and may we honour thee, 
in not doing our own ways, nor finding our own plea- 
sures, nor speaking our own words. May the private 
moments of the day, be sacred; and the social— innocent 
and edifying. And may we keep our foot, when we go 
to the house of God, and offer not the sacrifice of fools. 
Let us not go as they go, and sit as they sit, and hear 
thy words, but do them not. 

Preserve us from trifling with the things of the soul 
and eternity, or trusting in those privileges, which, un- 
improved, will only augment our guilt and our misery. 

Thy people, the Jews, were distinguished by thy fa- 
vours, above all the families of the earth; but wrath 
came upon them to the uttermost. The churches of 
Asia provoked thee to remove the candlestick out of its 
place; and they were left in darkness. We have awful 
examples still nearer. How many, who once heard and 
professed the gospel, have been turned by the abuse of 
it into apostates and infidels, blasphemers and perse- 
cutors; ten fold more the children of hell than before; 
while numbers who yet maintain the form of godliness, 
are too hardened to feel the power of it. 

While, therefore, we go to thy house in the multi- 
tude of thy mercies, may we in thy/ear worship towards 
thy holy temple; for thou art greatly to be feared in the 
assembly of the saints. O, let us not perish under 
means designed to save us. O, let not the savour of 
h 2 



90 SECOND WEEK. 

life unto life, prove to us only the savour of death 
unto death. 

Make the place of thy feet glorious. Bring us to thy 
holy mountain, and if we are not made joyful in thy 
house of prayer, convince us, alarm us, humble us, ba- 
nish the spirit of the world from our hearts, and fill us 
with all the fulness of God. 

So we thy people and the sheep of thy pasture, will 
give thee thanks forever, we will show forth thy praise 
throughout all generations. fi.mtn* 



SECOND WEEK. 



SABBATH MORNING. Jenks. 

O most blessed and gracious Lord our God, whose 
almighty hand has brought us out of nothing, to what 
we are; to see the light, and enjoy the comforts of life; 
and whose free grace has called us out of a state of sin 
and ruin, to the hope of thy heavenly glory! We bless 
thy name, that thou hast conducted us safe, through all 
states and events, and through all the trials and trou- 
bles in our lives, to see the comfortable light of this 
day; and that we have yet a day of grace wherein to 
attend to the things belonging to our peace. We bless 
thee that thou hast consulted the good of our souls, as 
well as the glory of thy name, in setting apart this day 
for holy uses, to engage us to a solemn attendance upon 
the Lord; in whose service consists all our honour and 
happiness. O how much higher might we have been 
in grace, and thy blessed favour — how much nearer to 
thee our God, and fitter for thy heavenly kingdom, had 
we rightly used, and conscientiously improved those 
seasons and means of grace, which thou hast been 
pleased to put into our hands, for the best advantage of 
our souls. 

But we have been unkind and cruel to our own souls, 
as well as disobedient and rebellious against our Lord; 
many times frustrating the opportunities of appearing 



SECOND WEEK. 91 

before thee; shunning and neglecting the duties of thy 
holy service; and even when we have set ourselves to 
seek thy face, it has been with such coldness, and dul- 
ness, and distraction, that thou mightest justly abhor 
our souls, despise our prayers, for any thing that there 
is in us or them, to recommend us to thy blessed fa- 
vour and acceptance. 

But be thou pleased to look upon us in the Son of 
thy love, the Lord our peace and righteousness; and for- 
give us all that is past wherein we have neglected thy 
work, or ill-performed it, or done what is inconsistent 
with it. Help us, O God of our salvation, and deliver 
us from the burden of our guilt; and purge away all our 
sins, for the glory of thy name; that they may not stand 
as a partition-wall, to hinder the desire of our souls 
from ascending up to thee; nor hinder the light of thy 
countenance from descending upon us. But let thy 
peace, and love, and favour shine on our souls; that we 
may see the felicity of thy chosen, and with joy draw 
water out of the wells of salvation. 

O let us not rest in any forms of godliness, denying 
the power thereof; nor take up with the name and 
show, and the profession of Christianity, but be swayed 
with its life, and power and spirit; that the gospel of 
our Lord, and the graces of the good Spirit of God may 
shine forth in our lives, to the glory of thee our hea- 
venly Father; and to the adorning of the doctrine of 
God our Saviour in all things. O gracious God, be 
with us, and with all the ministers and stewards of thy 
holy things, who are this day to speak thy word to thy 
people: and furnish them with abilities suitable to their 
great work, that they may fitly apply themselves to the 
capacities, and to the necessities of their several hear- 
ers. And grant, Lord, unto us, and unto all the hear- 
ers of thy holy word, humble and teachable spirits; to 
receive thy truth in meekness, and in the love of it, so 
as to profit and grow by it. O do thou remove all the 
hinderances of our spiritual growth and improvement, 
that thy word may have free course, and be glorified 
among us. And let us this day go forth in the strength 
of the Lord God; and prosper and increase with the 
increase of God, by thy grace and blessing accompa- 
nying our desires and endeavours; till from serving 



92 SECOND WEEK. 

thee imperfectly here upon earth, we may attain to glo- 
rify and enjoy thee, our God, in the perfection of holi- 
ness, and in those everlasting joys and glories of thy 
kingdom, which thou hast prepared for them that love 
thee. 

*Attend, we beseech thee, with thy gracious help, all 
the endeavours that shall this day be made to promote 
the honour of thy holy name. Revive pure religion 
in all the churches of the Lord Jesus in this land, and 
throughout the Christian world; and graciously extend 
thy kingdom over other people, and bring distant na- 
tions to the knowledge of thy Son. Wherever amidst 
any people thy work may be commenced, wilt thou 
deepen and extend it. Wilt thou there this day especially 
bless thy truth, and upon those churches which are cold 
or lukewarm in thy service, wilt thou send down thy 
Holy Spirit, that they may awake to newness of life, 
and that thy power may there be seen in the conversion 
of sinners. Do thou mercifully restrain and reform the 
violators of the Holy Sabbath, and give them better 
minds and a due regard for thy holy laws. Be merci- 
ful to the profligate and profane. May they be inclined 
to reverence thy holy name. And may all classes and 
conditions of men be brought under the influence of re- 
ligion, and the time soon come when on this thy day, the 
offerings of the whole world, converted unto thee, shall 
come up on thine altars, and the entire race praise and 
adore thee for the riches of redeeming mercy.* 

And let thy grace and blessing, thy love and fellow- 
ship, thy direction and assistance, O Heavenly Father, 
Son and Holy Spirit, be with us and with all whom we 
ought to beg thy mercy for in our prayers, this day, and 
for ever more. Amen. 



SABBATH EVENING. Jenks. 

Holy God, we are all as an unclean thing, and all our 
very righteousnesses are as filthy rags; nor can we ever 
hope to be justified in thy sight, upon account of any 
works or worth of our own; for by our own hearts 
and deeds we are reproved and condemned, and should 
be left speechless in thy judgment, if thou, O Lord, 



SECOND WEEK. 93 

shouldst call us to account, according to even our best 
services. But we desire to take refuge and sanctuary 
under the shadow of our crucified Saviour; and to be 
found in him, not having our own righteousness, but 
that which is by the faith of Jesus Christ, that all our 
sinful deformities hid from thine eyes; that thou may- 
est forgive us mercifully, and receive us graciously, 
and love us freely in the Son of thy love, in whom thou 
art well pleased. 

Command a blessing, we pray thee, O Lord, upon 
the word, which this day we have heard, and upon all 
the means of grace that have been used for the good of 
our souls. It is not of him that planteth, nor of him 
that watereth, but of thee, our God, who giveth the 
increase. O be thou pleased to attend the preaching 
of thy word with the powerful influences of thy grace 
and holy Spirit; that it may be the savour of life to 
our souls, and the power of God to our salvation. 

*And we especially beseech of thee, Almighty Father, 
that thou wilt be pleased to follow with thy blessing the 
instructions imparted this day in Sunday schools. May 
the truths of thy holy word be deeply impressed on the 
minds of children, and may they grow up in the know- 
ledge and love of Jesus Christ the Saviour. May those 
truths so influence their minds and hearts, as to guide 
and comfort them in all the journey of life. Grant, O 
Lord, that as they advance in years they may evince the 
benefits of the instruction in Sabbath schools; and that 
this generation may be trained up devoted to thy cause, 
and prepared to promote thy glory, when their parents 
and teachers shall have descended to the tomb. 

Will the God of grace be also pleased to bless all 
Sunday school teachers. Let their hearts be comforted 
by seeing thy work prosper in their hands. In their 
own souls may they experience the reward of their 
self-denials, and toils; and in thine everlasting kingdom 
may they at last be admitted to a seat at thy right hand 
with thousands saved by the instrumentality of Sabbath 
schools.* 

Supply the want of thy public ordinances, we beseech 
thee, by the immediate teachings of thy good Spirit, to 
all such as through any unavoidable impediments are 
kept from them; and continue to us, O gracious Lord, 



94 SECOND WEEK. 

the light of thy gospel, and all the happy opportunities 
which we enjoy for our soul's advantage. And preserve 
us also, by thy grace, from the curse of barrenness, 
under all thy holy means and abundant mercies. That 
they may not, therefore, hereafter rise up in judgment 
against us, O make them now efficacious to us; and 
write thy laws in our hearts, and cause them to ac- 
complish all the purposes of thy grace in our souls, 
and to shine forth with a convincing splendour in our 
lives; to make us every way such as thou wouldst 
have us. 

And now we give thanks, as we are infinitely bound, 
to thee, O Lord God, our heavenly Father, for the mer- 
cies of this day; and for thy great mercy and goodness 
that has hitherto followed us all the days of our lives. 
O how wonderful is thy patience and long-suffering, 
that thou shouldst all day long stretch forth thy hands 
to a rebellious and gainsaying people! x\nd how un- 
wearied thy kindness and love, that we still enjoy so 
many comforts with our lives. Blessed be thy name, 
O most merciful Father, that thou hast defended us 
from so many dangers in our lives, which threatened 
to destroy us; and delivered us out of so many trou- 
bles, under which we should have sunk and perished, 
if thou hadst not been nigh to us, and done great things 
for us. We bless thee for our health and plenty, peace 
and liberty; for the use of our reason, limbs and senses; 
for the kindness of friends, and safety from our enemies; 
for the benefits and refreshments of society, and the 
success and prosperity of our affairs here in the world. 
But above all, we bless thee for the mercies and bless- 
ings relating to the world to come; for Jesus Christ, 
and all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in him, 
tending to the salvation of our souls; for remembering 
us in our low estate, and sending eternal redemption 
to us by the hands of thy dear Son; for the light and 
direction of thy word; for the teachings and strivings, 
the aids and consolations of thy Spirit; for all the 
means and helps which we have to do us good; for all 
thy grace wrought in us, and bestowed upon us; and 
for all the discoveries and hopes of eternal glory which 
thou hast given to us. O how infinitely indebted are 
we to the kindness and love of God our Saviour! O 



SECOND WEEK. 95 

that we may ever be sensible and thankful as we ought! 
And with all that thou hast given us, blessed God, give 
us hearts filled with thy love, and lifted up in thy praise, 
and devoted to thy honour and service. 

And help us, O Lord our God, to glorify thy name, 
not only in speaking to thy praise, but so entirely de- 
voting ourselves to thy pleasure, that we may be thine 
in faithfulness, and in the sincerity of our hearts, even 
all the days of our lives. 

O make us truly penitent, and humbled for all which 
this day we have done amiss, and make us unfeignedly 
thankful for all the good that we have received; and for 
all which thou hast, in any manner or measure, enabled 
us to do aright. The evil is from ourselves alone, and 
to us belong shame and confusion of face for it; but all 
the good is of thy free grace, and thy mere mercy; and 
and to thy blessed name, O Lord our God, be all the 
praise and glory rendered, with the most sensible and 
grateful hearts, now and for evermore. Jimtn. 



MONDAY MORNING. Jenks. 

O Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering, 
and abundant in goodness and truth! Thou keepest 
mercy for thousands, pardonest iniquity, transgression 
and sin, and dost not retain thy anger for ever, because 
thou delightest in mercy. How excellent is thy loving 
kindness, O God! therefore do the sons of men put 
their trust under the shadow of thy wings. And there- 
fore do we desire still to look up to that bountiful hand 
of thine, from whence we have received all our good 
things. O Lord our God! he thou pleased to look 
down mercifully upon us, and be gracious and favoura- 
ble to us, as thou art unto those that love thy name. 
O look not upon the sins of our hearts and lives; which 
are more than we can remember, and greater than we 
can express; and such as make us seem vile, even in 
our own eyes, and so highly guilty before thy holy 
Majesty, that it is of the Lord's mercies we are not 
consumed, because thy compassions fail not. But be- 
hold us in mercy, through the merits and mediation of 
thy Son our Saviour, who did no sin, and was mani- 



96 SECOND WEEK. 

fested that he might take away our sins: by whom it is 
that we have this access to the Majesty on high, and 
encouragement to come into thy presence, to ask what 
we need. 

And seeing there is in Christ Jesus an infinite ful- 
ness of all that ever we can want or wish to make us 
holy, and to make us most blessed eternally: O that 
we may all receive of his fulness grace sufficient for us| 
to pardon our sins and subdue our iniquities; to justify 
our persons, and to sanctify our souls; and to complete 
upon our hearts and lives that holy renovating change, 
which may still more and more transform us into the 
blessed image after which thou didst create us; and 
make us still more meet to be partakers of the inheri- 
tance of thy saints in light. 

And teach us, O Lord our God, to use this world 
without abusing it, and to enjoy the things of it, with- 
out losing our part in thy love, which is better than life. 
Whatever we have of the world, O may we have the 
same with thy leave and love, sanctified to us by the 
word of God, and prayer; and by the right employ- 
ment and improvement thereof to thy glory, who art 
the gracious Giver of all our good things. And what- 
soever we want of the things of this life, O Lord, our 
heavenly Father, leave us not destitute of any of those 
things that accompany salvation, but adorn our souls 
with all such graces of thy holy Spirit, as may enable 
us to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things, 
by such a conversation as does become it. 

Help us, O gracious Lord, in the whole of our duty 
to thee our God; and also in the discharge of all rela- 
tive duties which we owe to men, whether superiors, 
equals, or inferiors, all with whom we have our conver- 
sation in the world: that we may walk wisely toward 
them that are without, and kindly toward them that 
are within; and not to be justly offensive unto any; but, 
what in us lies, useful and beneficial to all. And thus 
let us pass the time of our sojourning here, in thy fear 
and favour, and to thy honour and glory; that at our 
last review thereof, thy name may have the praise, and 
our souls the comfort, in the hour of death, and in the 
great day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

*Let the spirit of thy holy Sabbath go with us into 



SECOND WEEK. 97 

the duties of this work. May we, in all our employ* 
ments, have that seriousness, calmness, peace, prayer- 
fulness, and conscientiousness, which the observance of 
thy holy day is fitted to produce. May thy truth be 
seasonably brought to our remembrance. May we be 
enlightened by that truth in the knowledge of our duty 
to thee, and to our fellow creatures. Suffer us not to 
become worldly minded — to be influenced inordinately, 
by the things of this life; or to forget that thy people 
are advancing to a world of eternal purity and love. 
Amid all our worldly employments, may we remember 
that our treasure should be laid up in a world where 
moth and rust do not corrupt, and where thieves do 
not break through nor steal. Amid all our perplexi- 
ties and trials, may we remember that there remaineth 
a rest to the people of God, — and may we so live as to 
be prepared to enter upon that eternal Sabbath, which 
awaits Christians beyond the grave.* 

And now that thou hast renewed our lives and thy 
mercies to us this morning, help us, good God, to re- 
new our desires, and resolutions, and endeavours, to 
live in the obedience of thy holy will, and to the honour 
of thy blessed name. O restrain us from the evils and 
follies into which we are prone to fall; and quicken us 
to the offices and duties which we are averse to per- 
form. And grant that we may think and speak, and 
will and do, the things becoming the children of our 
heavenly Father; and so find the strong consolation 
of thy gracious acceptance in Jesus Christ our Sa- 
viour; who, when we pray, has taught us to say, Our 
Father, Sec. 



MONDAY EVENING.! Jenks. 

O Lord our God! thou art infinitely great, and infi- 
nitely good. Thy glory is above all our thoughts, and 
thy mercies are over all thy works. And above all thy 
mercies, have we cause to admire, and bless, and praise 
thee for those mercies which, in so large a measure, 

t The second Monday in the month is extensively observed as a 
concert of prayer for Sunday schools. 

I 



98 SECOND WEEK. 

and especial manner, thou hast been pleased still to 
vouchsafe unto us, who are daily objects of thy bounty, 
and who continue still the living monuments of thy 
goodness. 

Thou didst create us, O Lord, after thy own blessed 
image, in an holy and happy estate; but we have made 
ourselves vile and miserable, averse to good and prone 
to evil. But thou hast so far declared thy willingness 
to be reconciled even to thy enemies, that thou hast 
sent thy only Son into the world, upon the great errand 
of our salvation; that whosoever believe in him, should 
not perish in their sins, but have everlasting life, for 
his sake. O Lord, we believe, help our unbelief; and 
give us the true repentance towards God, and faith in 
our Lord Jesus Christ; that we may be of the number 
of those who do indeed repent and believe, to the saving 
of the soul. 

And save us, O good Lord, from our sinful selves, and 
from the love and course of this present evil world, and 
from every self-destroying way which we are tempted 
to follow. Make us a way to escape, out of all the 
snares of temptation, wherewith we have been entan- 
gled and held, and hindered in running the race set be- 
fore us. Make thy ways plain before us. Establish, O 
Lord, and strengthen and settle us; that going forth in 
thy strength, we may do thy will to all well-pleasing; 
and continue in thy fear and love to our lives' end. 

Which things we beg, not for ourselves alone, but 
also in behalf of all whom we ought to entreat thy 
mercy for in our prayers. O bring nigh unto thee all 
those that are yet afar off; and make manifest the sa- 
vour of thy knowledge in every place; that such as yet 
sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, may come to 
see the light of thy truth, and the joy of thy salvation. 
O that every one who names the name of Christ may 
depart from iniquity, and so live up to their high and 
holy profession, that they may give no just occasion to 
the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme; but adorn the doc- 
trine of God our Saviour in all things, and to put to si- 
lence the ignorance of foolish men by well doing. 

Be gracious and favourable, O Lord, in an especial 
manner, to thy church. Arise, O God, and plead thy 
own cause, and maintain thy true, and holy religion, 



SECOND WEEK. 99 

which thou hast so long- and so wonderfully owned and 
asserted. O let not the enemies of thy church ever 
have cause to say, that they have prevailed against thy 
people; but let all that do espouse thy cause, and stand 
up for the honour and defence of thy truth, be still pre- 
valent and prosperous in all their pious designs; and 
still have cause to say, the Lord be magnified, who has 
pleasure in the prosperity of his servants. 

* And on this day, set apart by many of thy people as 
a season of prayer for thy mercy on Sunday schools, 
we humbly implore thy blessing on all who are engaged 
in those schools as teachers, or learners. Enlighten by 
the Holy Spirit all teachers that they may truly under- 
stand thy word. Make them the true friends of Jesus 
Christ. May they be endowed with his spirit of self- 
denial, patience, humility, and prayer. May they ever- 
more copy the example of him who, when on earth, 
said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not to come 
unto me. While engaged in instructing the rising ge- 
neration, in leading others to the cross of Christ, may 
they themselves be interested in thy promises, and 
sanctified by all their efforts to promote thy glory. And 
grant, O gracious God, that their labours may be at- 
tended with thy blessing. Do thou send down thy Spi- 
rit on all Sunday schools, that the rising generation 
may grow up in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and in 
preparation for great usefulness in the church, and in 
the state. May schools be established in all the desti- 
tute places of our land; and all the means used to en- 
large and perpetuate these blessings be crowned with 
success. Never suffer the zeal of thy people to languish 
in this cause, or thy ministers to forget their obliga- 
tions to use every influence in their power to promote 
the religious training of the rising generation. Hear 
and answer the prayers which this day may have been 
offered in behalf of Sunday schools; excite in all thy 
people a spirit of benevolence; and fill the earth with 
thy glory.* 

Comfort all that want the comforts which we enjoy. 
Remember with the favour which thou bearest to thy 
people, all our friends and benefactors, our kindred 
after the flesh, and whomsoever are dear to us, on any 
other account. Make them, O Lord, such as thou 



100 SECOND WEEK. 

wouldst have them, and such as, in Christ Jesus, thou 
wilt mercifully accept of them, here to thy gracious fa- 
vour, and hereafter to thy glorious kingdom. Forgive 
our enemies, and turn their hearts; and turn ours to 
forgive them. And direct all our ways to please thee, 
that thou mayest make even our enemies to be at peace 
with us. 

Hear us, O God of the spirits of all flesh ! hear us for 
ourselves and others; others for themselves and us: 
and hear the Son of thy love, the lover of our souls, for 
us and all the members of thy church militant here on 
earth, whereof Christ Jesus in heaven is the glorious 
head. For him and to him with thine eternal self, 
most holy Father, and the blessed Spirit of grace, our 
Guide and Comforter, be all thanks and praise, and ho- 
nour, and glory, humbly and heartily rendered and as- 
cribed of us, and all thy people, now and for evermore. 
Jimen. 



TUESDAY MORNING. Jenks. 

O Lord, thou art the God whose we are, and whom 
we ought to serve, with all the endowments and abili- 
ties for thy service, wherewith thou hast blessed us. 
For thou hast laid upon us all the obligations of thy 
laws; and all the endearments of thy love, to be faith- 
ful in the covenant of our God; and to abound in the 
work of the Lord. And we desire to humble ourselves 
here before thee, that our lives have been so unservice- 
able to thee, and so full of provocation against thee; 
that we have lived to ourselves, more than to the Lord 
and giver of our lives; and we have served our own 
lusts and pleasures more than thy holy blessed will; 
which is the rule of all righteousness, and in the per- 
formance whereof, there is the greatest reward. O 
how we have disbelieved thy truths, disobeyed thy com- 
mands, disregarded thy promises and threats! and re- 
sisted and defeated all thy gracious methods to reclaim 
us from the evil of our ways, and to bring us over en- 
tirely to thyself. 

We have sinned against thee, our God, to the infinite 
wrong and damage of our own souls, and by our sins 



SECOND WEEK. 101 

we have spoiled and destroyed ourselves; but it is not 
in us to recover and save ourselves. In thee alone is 
all our help. Yea, thou hast laid help upon one that is 
mighty and able to save to the uttermost all that come 
to God through him: through whom thou hast en- 
couraged us to come boldly to thy throne of grace; 
that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in 
every time of need. In him, therefore, we beg, Lord, 
that thou wilt be reconciled to us, and at peace with 
us; as a Father of mercies, and a God of consolation. 

And for his sake, enable us also, we beseech thee, to 
demean ourselves as becomes the children of God, the 
redeemed of the Lord, and the followers of Jesus Christ. 
O put such principles of grace and holiness into our 
hearts, as may make us to hate all iniquity, and every 
false way. And put thy spirit within us, causing us to 
walk in thy statutes, and to keep thy judgments, and 
to do them. Not only lay thy commands upon us, but 
be pleased, O Lord, to enable us for the performance of 
every duty required of us. And so engage our hearts 
to thyself, that we may make it our meat and drink to 
do thy will; and with enlarged hearts run the way of 
thy commands. O make our services acceptable to 
thee while we live, and our souls ready for thee when 
we die. And as long as we are in this world, keep us, 
O Lord our God, from the evil of it, and from the 
snares and dangers which thou knowest we are conti- 
nually exposed to in it. O make our passage safe and 
sure, through all the changes, troubles, temptations, 
and various conditions of this mortal life, to the un- 
changeable glories and felicities of life everlasting. 

Be merciful to us, good Lord, and bless us, and keep 
us this day, in all our ways, and in all our lawful de- 
signs and undertakings; and may we take nothing in 
hand, but what is warranted in thy word. O let us be 
in the fear of the Lord all the day long; let thy fear be 
ever before our eyes to restrain us from the things pro- 
voking to our God, and destructive to our souls. And 
let thy love abound in our hearts, and sweetly and pow- 
erfully constrain us to all faithful and cheerful obe- 
dience, acceptable in thy sight, through him that has 
loved and redeemed us; even the Lord our righteous- 
ness; in whose blessed name, and the words of prayer 

i 2 



102 SECOND WEEK. 

which himself has taught us, we continue praying, our 
Father, Sec. 

The blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and 
Holy Ghost, be with us, and with all that belong to us, 
this day, and for evermore. Amen. 



TUESDAY EVENING. Jenks. 

O Lord, thou art our gracious God, and our most 
merciful Father in Jesus Christ; in whose great name, 
and prevailing mediation, alone it is that we, who have 
multiplied our offences against thee, are encouraged 
Still to present our persons, and our prayers here before 
thee. It is a privilege which we acknowledge ourselves 
utterly unworthy to enjoy, that thou shouldst admit us 
into thy service; yea, into fellowship with thy blessed 
self. We dare not appear in the presence of such a 
holy glorious Majesty, in our own names, or trusting in 
any merits or righteousness in ourselves. But we come 
in the name and mediation of thy dear Son, whom thou 
dost infinitely love above all; who has fully satisfied 
thy justice for our sins, and does continually intercede 
at thy right hand for our souls; whom thou delightest 
to honour in sparing, accepting, and saving poor un- 
worthy sinners upon his account. O deliver us, most 
gracious Lord, for his sake, from all our transgres- 
sions; and from all, of which thou, that art greater 
than our hearts, knowest us to be guilty. And seal to 
us a pardon, in his most precious blood, which speaks 
better things in our behalf than we are able to do our- 
selves, in all our prayers. 

And may the time past of our lives suffice to have 
lived to ourselves, and to have served our own lusts 
and pleasures. Grant us new and clean, humble and 
contrite hearts, to tremble at thy word and presence, 
and to hate and abandon all our foolish and sinful mis- 
doings. 

Hear us, O Lord, for ourselves, and let our supplica- 
tions also ascend before thee in the behalf of all men 
living. Send thy word, and the means of grace to such 
as are yet destitute of them; and make them efficacious, 
and the savour of life in those that do enjoy them. 



SECOND WEEK. 103 

Convert the unconverted, and perfect thy good work 
where thou hast begun it. Give a check to all profane- 
ness, vice, and ungodliness, that presumptuous sinners 
may be ashamed, and the wickedness of the wicked 
may come to an end. O make thy church to increase 
and flourish, and thy servants to prevail and rejoice. 
Be gracious and favourable to this land, and to the head 
and governors thereof, and to all inferior and parti- 
cular members of it. O do thou rule all our rulers, 
counsel all our counsellors, teach all our teachers, and 
turn and order allour public affairs, to the glory of thy 
name, to the welfare of thy church, and to the happi- 
ness of this nation. Avert from us, we beseech thee, 
the judgments which we feel -or fear, and continue to 
us the blessings and comforts for our bodies, and espe- 
cially the helps and advantages for our souls, which 
through thy favour we do enjoy. And notwithstanding 
all the devices of the enemies of our peace, and all the 
great and crying provocations of our sins, O be thou 
still our God, and let us be thy people. 

Think thoughts of pity and iompassion to all the 
sons and daughters of affliction. O sanctify thy father- 
ly corrections to them, support them under their seve- 
ral burdens, and in thy good time deliver them from 
all the pressures that are upon them. Be good to all 
our friends and neighbours, reward our benefactors, 
bless our relations with the best of thy blessings, mak- 
ing them near to thyself by grace, as they are to us by 
alliance. Preserve us from our enemies, and reconcile 
them both to us and to thyself. O that all the habita- 
tions of Christians may be houses of prayer, and be 
thou especially kind to the several families where thy 
blessed name is called upon. Let thy heavenly bless- 
ings, and thy saving grace descend and rest upon us 
here in this family. O guide us, and keep us; make us 
wise and faithful in our duty, and prosperous and 
blessed in the issue. Fit us all for whatsoever thou 
shalt be pleased to call us to. O teach us how to want 
and how to abound; and both in a prosperous and suf- 
fering condition, secure our hearts to thyself, and make 
us ever to approve ourselves sincere and faithful in thy 
service. 

And now, O Lord, be pleased to accept our evening 



104 SECOND WEEK. 

sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, to thee the Father 
of mercies, and fountain of all goodness, for the mer- 
cies of the day past, and for thy great mercy and good- 
ness, that has hitherto followed us all the days of our 
life. — For our lives have been filled with thy mercies, 
and thou hast abounded towards us in loving kindness, 
and variety of thy sweet and comfortable blessings, per- 
taining to this world, and a better! passing by our in- 
numerable sins, as if thou sawest them not, thou goest 
on still to oblige us with new favours. O Lord, im- 
print and preserve upon our hearts a lively and grateful 
sense and remembrance of all thy kindness unto us, that 
our souls may bless thee, and all that is within us may 
praise thy holy name. 

Yea, let us give thee thanks from the heart, and praise 
our God, whilst we have our being. And for all thy 
patience with us, thy care over us, and thy continual 
mercy to us, blessed be thy name, O Lord God, our 
heavenly Father: and unto thee be all thanks, and praise, 
and love, and obedience, and honour, and glory, offered 
by us and all thine, every where, now and evermore. 
Jimen. 



WEDNESDAY MORNING. Jenks. 

O Lord, the blessed God of our salvation! thou art the 



hope of all the ends of the earth, upon whom the eyes 
of all do wait: for thou givest unto all life, and breath, 
and all things. In thee we ever live, and move, and 
are^ and upon thee we continually do depend for all 
the good that ever we have, or hope for. Still thou 
takest care of us, and watchest for good over us; even 
in our rest and sleep, when we have not so much as 
any thoughts of caring for ourselves; and daily thou re- 
newest to us our lives, and thy mercies; every morn- 
ing giving us new occasions still for thy praise, and our 
thankfulness. And thou hast given us the assurance of 
thy word, that if we commit our affairs to thee, and ac- 
knowledge thee in all our ways, thou wilt establish our 
thoughts, and direct our path. And therefore we de- 
sire, O Lord, still to put ourselves under thy gracious 
conduct, and thy fatherly protection; and to beg thy 



SECOND WEEK. 105 

heavenly guidance and blessing, and assistance of thy 
good Spirit, to choose our inheritance for us; and to 
dispose of us and of all that concern us, to the glory of 
thy name. 

O Lord, withdraw not thy tender mercies from us, 
nor the comforts of thy presence, nor the assistance of 
thy Spirit; for our great contempt and manifold abuses 
of all such grace and goodness. Never punish our past 
sins, by giving us over to the love and power of our 
sins; but give us true penitent hearts for all the evils 
committed by us; and thy merciful discharge from all 
the guilt that lies upon us. And grant us, O God, the 
comfortable sense and apprehension of thy gracious ac- 
ceptance of us, and thy merciful intentions towards us 
in the Son of thy love, the lover of our souls: that our 
souls may bless thee, and all that is within us may 
praise thy holy name. 

And O that we may find the joy of the Lord to be 
our strength, to enable us to contend against our sins; 
especially the sins to which we are most addicted, and 
whereof we are in greatest danger; and to make us also 
more ready to every good work, and better disposed for 
all the duties of piety, justice, charity, and sobriety, 
which we owe to thee our God, to our neighbour 
and ourselves: that herein we may experience our- 
selves to have always a conscience void of offence 
towards God, and towards men. O help us to walk 
circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise; carefully re- 
deeming the time that we have lost, and conscientiously 
improving all those seasons, and means of grace which 
thou art pleased to put into our hands, for the best pro- 
fit and advantage of our souls. And while we are upon 
earth, O give us all things needful and convenient for 
our present pilgrimage; and sanctify to us all our en- 
joyments, and all events that now befall us; till, through 
the merits of thy Son, and the multitude of thy mer- 
cies, we are conducted safe to be ever with the Lord. 
Amidst all our other affairs in this world, O let us 
never forget or neglect the one thing needful; but be in 
greatest care so to demean ourselves every day, as may 
forward our comfortable accounts in the great day of 
thy appearing and glory. 

O gracious Father! keep us, we beseech thee, this 



106 SECOND WEEK. 

day in thy fear and favour; and help us to live to thy 
honour and glory. If thou guide us not, we shall run 
into errors; if thou preserve us not, we shall fall into 
dangers; O let thy good providence be our defence and 
security; and let thy Holy Spirit be our guide and coun- 
sellor in all our ways. And grant that we may take the 
ways and courses agreeable to thy will, and acceptable 
in thy sight, through Jesus Christ; in whose sacred 
name and words we close up these our imperfect re- 
quests to thee, Our Father, Sec. 

Let thy grace, O Lord Jesus Christ, thy love, O 
heavenly Father, thy comfortable fellowship, O holy 
blessed Spirit, be with us, and with all whom we ought 
to beg thy mercy for in our prayers, this day, and for 
evermore. Amen. 



WEDNESDAY EVENING. Jenks. 

O Lord, our God, thou art most high and mighty, 
most wise and holy, and good! Thou art, and for ever 
wast, and for ever shall continue, unspeakably blessed 
and glorious, above all that we are able to express or 
to conceive. Thou dost not need the services of men 
or angels to make the least addition to thy glory and 
bliss. Men cannot be profitable unto God; our good- 
ness will not extend to the Lord. But in kindness and 
love to our souls it is, that thou art pleased to lay thy 
commands upon us, to wait upon thee in these duties 
of thy immediate service. Thou humblest thyself even 
to behold the things that are in heaven, to take notice 
of the worship of those blessed creatures above. O how 
wonderful is thy condescension then, to look down upon 
us, poor sinful worms, that dwell here in houses of clay, 
whose foundation is in the dust! Lord, what is man 
that thou takest knowledge of him, and the son of man 
that thou makest account of him! Thou canst not at 
all need us, nor any thing of ours, O blessed God; but 
we all stand in great and continual need of thee, our 
only sovereign good; in need of thy mercy and forgive- 
ness, thy grace and guidance, thy blessing and assist- 
ance; without which we could never hope to escape 
the curses and miseries which are the due wages of 



SECOND WEEK. 107 

bur sins; nor ever to attain to that glory and blessed- 
'ness, which are the free gifts of God in Jesus Christ. 

The desire of our souls, therefore, is to thy name, O 
'Lord, and to the remembrance of thee. Our eyes are 
towards thee, and all our expectation is from thee: and 
still we wait, and call, and depend upon thee, till thou 
have mercy upon us, according to our several necessi- 
ties; and according to the riches of thy grace, and the 
multitude of thy mercies. O remember not against us 
our former iniquities; enter not into judgment with us, 
according to the desert of our sins; but according to 
thy mercy remember thou us. For thy goodness' sake, 
O Lord, blot out our transgressions as a cloud; and 
justify us freely by thy grace, through the redemption 
that is in Jesus Christ. And bless us, holy God of our 
salvation, in turning us from all our iniquities, and 
giving us grace, to repent and amend our lives accord- 
ing to thy holy word. 

And to this end, be thou pleased to enlighten our 
darkened minds with the beams of thy saving truth, 
that we may not be unwise, but understand what the 
will of the Lord is — And reform our depraved wills, 
inclining them to a cheerful and ready compliance with 
all the motions of thy good Spirit. Regulate our un- 
ruly passions; purify our corrupt affections; and con- 
vert all the faculties of our souls, to be instruments of 
thy glory, as they have been of thy dishonour; and make 
our bodies fit temples for thy Holy Spirit to dwell in. 
Yea, sanctify us wholly, that we may, as we ought, sanc- 
tify thy blessed name. 

And quicken us, O Lord, to hear thy voice while it 
is called to-day; that we may make haste, and not de- 
lay to keep thy commandments. O keep us frequently 
and affectionately mindful of the shortness of our time, 
the frailty of our lives, and the uncertainty of our being 
here in this mutable world, that so soon passeth away, 
and where we have no continuing city; but are stran- 
gers and sojourners with thee, as all our fathers before 
us were. O let the remembrance and consideration of 
this have such a prevailing influence upon us, as to 
crucify the world to us, and make us more concerned 
for our everlasting welfare, and more careful to improve 
every present enjoyment to our soul's eternal advan- 



108 SECOND WEEK. 

tage; and to grow holier still as we grow older; that 
the days which pass over us may not leave us, without 
any amendment wrought upon us; but that the work of 
thy grace may go on successfully upon our hearts, till 
it has made us ripe and ready for the joys and glories 
of thy kingdom. 

The same things also we beg in behalf of all that 
ought to share in our prayers. O forgive the sins, and 
relieve the miseries of thy poor creatures every where. 
Enlarge the borders of thy church, and make additions 
to it daily of such as shall be saved. O that all who 
are called Christians, may be truly Christians, both in 
their right believing and their holy living. Advance 
the interest, and extend the limits of thy Son's king- 
dom, and may all nations flow into it, as to their rest. 
Bless our land, and endue our rulers, and those who 
direct our public affairs, with wisdom from on high. 
Give our judges the spirit of discernment, and aid and 
countenance our magistrates in the faithful execution of 
their office. Make them all men fearing God, and es- 
chewing evil. — And O that all who are called to serve 
at thy altar, may be blessed with skilful understand- 
ings, and compassionate hearts, and exemplary lives. 
Make them wise to win souls, and faithful, industrious 
and successful in their sacred office, as workmen that 
need not be ashamed. Bless and prosper all the places 
of learning and education; and make all this people 
the Lord's people; that they may all know thee from 
the greatest to the least; and so order their conversa- | 
tion aright, that they may see the salvation of God. 
Remember them all for good, who have been any way 
instruments of our good; and all that have, or would 
hurt us, O Lord forgive them. Give unto all that mourn 
in Zion, beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, 
and the garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness. 
O Lord! continue thy gracious favour to us, and thy 
fatherly care over us this night. As we go to rest after 
the labours of the day, so help us to do thy work that 
we may enter into that rest which remains for thy peo- 
ple in the close of this life. And so discharge us from 
our sins, and supply us still with thy grace, that we may 
finish our course with joy, and in the end of our lives 
find the greatest of all mercy, to be received into thy 



SECOND WEEK. 109 

glory: which we beg for the all-sufficient merits of our 
only Redeemer; for whom, and to whom, with thee, O 
everlasting Father, and the Holy Ghost the Comforter, 
in the unity of the ever glorious Trinity, be all praise, 
and honour and glory ascribed of us, and of all the 
Israel of God, now and for evermore. Amen 



THURSDAY MORNING. Jenks. 

O Lord God, that nearest prayer, and art nigh to all 
that call upon thee in truth, having thine ears open to 
a world of creatures, that continually depend upon thee! 
As we are moved by our own necessities, so are we en- 
couraged by the daily experience of thy mercies still to 
shelter ourselves under the shadow of thy wings, and to 
continue our suits and supplications at the throne of 
thy grace. And we beg of thee, who fashioneth all the 
hearts of the sons of men, that thou wilt prepare our 
hearts to come into thy holy presence and to call upon 
thy blessed name, in due and acceptable manner! O 
pour upon us the spirit of grace and of supplications; 
and let thy good Spirit help our infirmities, and teach 
us to pray so as shall be most agreeable to thy will, and 
most advantageous to our souls. 

For we, who are but poor worms, and sinful dust and 
ashes; that have too much cause to be afraid, lest our 
great and manifold sins have provoked thee to hide thy 
face from us, and to shut up thy loving kindness in dis- 
pleasure against us, have taken upon us to speak unto 
thee, the Sovereign Majesty of heaven and earth. For 
we have done foolishly and wickedly, in not hearkening 
to the calls of thy word, nor yielding to the monitions 
of thy Spirit, to walk in the ways which thou hast set 
before us. Our iniquities are increased over our heads, 
our trespasses are grown even up to heaven, and our 
sins are a sore burden, too grievous and heavy for us to 
bear. They are infinite debts, and sad accounts; for 
which if thou, O Lord, shouldst enter into judgment 
with us, we could not answer thee one of a thousand; 
but must lay our hands upon our mouths, and plead 
nothing but guilty, having our whole dependence upon 
thy mercy. 



1 10 SECOND WEEK. 

O God, be merciful to us, miserable sinners, for his 
sake, whom thou hast exalted to be a Prince and a 
Saviour, to give repentance to thy people, and forgive- 
ness of their sins: be merciful to us, we pray thee, and 
heal our souls, that have greatly sinned against thee. 
O heal our backslidings, renew us to true repentance, 
establish our hearts in thy true fear and love, and esta- 
blish our goings in thy holy ways; that we may not be 
so wavering and bent to backsliding, nor revolt from 
thee to turn to folly, after thou in mercy hast spoken 
peace to our souls; but may go on conquering and to 
conquer all the enemies of our souls, and all the hinder- 
ances of our salvation, till satan be bruised under our 
feet. 

O thou God of all grace! bring such thoughts to our 
minds, and lay such considerations home powerfully 
upon our hearts, as thou knowest most effectual to pre- 
vail with us, to work in us thy will, and to keep us from 
our iniquity within the bounds of our duty, till thou re- 
ceive us into the blessed kingdom of thy glory. And, 
in the mean time, sanctify to us all thy dealings with 
us; and bless us in all our undertakings, and in all our 
conditions and relations. Make us humble, contented, 
and duly careful of our souls; following after the things 
now which will bring us true peace and comfort at the 
last. 

Dispose of us, we beseech thee, our God, and of all 
that concerns us this day, to the glory of thy name. 
O keep us at all times, and in all places and companies, 
from the evil of sin, and from all other evils, to which 
the greatness of our sins does make us liable. And 
take thou, O heavenly Father, the gracious charge, and 
guidance, and government of us; and so lead us here 
in all our ways, with thy counsel, that hereafter thou 
mayest receive us into thy glory; through thy tender 
mercies, and our Saviour's abundant merits; in whose 
own words, we beg all things needful for ourselves and 
others, at thy hands. 

Our Father, &c. 



SECOND WEEK. 1 1 1 

THURSDAY EVENING. Jenks. 

O Lord, the great and glorious God, infinite in 
power, wisdom and goodness; the wonderful maker 
and preserver, ruler and disposer, of us and of all the 
world! thou hast created all things by thy Almighty 
hand! sustainest and orderest all that thou hast made 
by thy wise and righteous providence; and thy mercy 
is everlasting, and over all thy works. O who is able 
to express or conceive the exceeding riches of that 
grace and goodness of the Lord, which in such a plen- 
tiful measure is still descending and overflowing upon 
poor sinful creatures, who deserve nothing from thee 
but to be forsaken and abhorred by thee! This day, 
and every day of our lives, O Lord, have we tasted 
largely of thy mercy, and lived altogether still upon thy 
fatherly care and bounty. 

But notwithstanding all thy patience and gracious 
dealings with us, and all the repeated pledges of thy 
favour and kindness to us; O how ill we have requited 
thy love! And what unsuitable returns have we made 
for all thy great and continued goodness that we have 
found! Beside the guilt of our inbred corruption, 
which hangs heavy upon us; we are amazed at the 
greatness and multitude of all our other sins that we 
have committed against the light and teachings of thy 
gospel, against the dictates and strivings of thy Spirit, 
and the love and sufferings of thy Son: against all the 
patience and long forbearance which thou hast exer- 
cised towards us; and against the many mercies and 
methods of our conversion and sanctification, where- 
with from time to time, thou hast sought to make us 
such as thy word requires we should be. O Lord, we 
have given thee so great provocation, that we are afraid 
lest thou shouldst forsake us utterly, and cause the day 
of thy patience to be at an end with us, and grant us no 
more of thy grace which we have so greatly abused, 
no more of thy Holy Spirit, which we have so frequent- 
ly refused. And what have we now but judgment to 
expect from thee, O Lord, but that thy mercy rejoices 
over judgment! And thy word assures us that thou 
delightest not in the death of sinners, but rather that 
they should turn to thee and live. Therefore still thou 



112 SECOND WEEK. 

leavest us these opportunities to appear before thee, to 
plead with our God, for the life of souls that have sin- 
ned against thee. And what have we to plead, O bless- 
ed Lord, but thy own gracious nature, and merciful in- 
clinations, and the many promises and declarations, 
of thyself which thou hast made to returning sinners in 
Jesus Christ! Thou hast sent thine only Son to be our 
only Saviour; and he that did no sin was manifested to 
take away our sins. O for his sake be thou pleased to 
pity us, and spare us, and forgive us. Turn away thy 
wrath from us; receive us to thy blessed favour; and 
comfort us with the sure persuasion, that our great 
and many sins a'*e remitted. 

And because such is the infirmity of our nature, that 
without thy grace we have not the least power to keep 
ourselves even from the greatest sins; O grant us the 
increase of thy grace, and such help of thy good Spirit, 
as may fortify us against all temptation, and make us 
willing and faithful, and diligent in thy service. And 
be pleased, O Lord, yet further to discover and mani- 
fest thyself to our souls, that we may know aright thee, 
the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast 
sent. And give us power from on high to enable us so 
to live and practise, according to that light and know- 
ledge of our duty which thou art pleased to impart unto 
us, that we may not hold the truth in unrighteousness, 
knowing the better, and doing the worse, but may walk 
in the light, as children of light, while we have it; that 
we may never in judgment be deprived of it. O let us 
not only be almost, but altogether Christians; sincere 
converts, true penitents, and sound believers. And 
wilt thou, O God, that workest all in all,' do that work 
of thy grace thoroughly upon all our hearts; for which 
we may have cause to give thee praise and glory to all 
eternity. 

Which things we beg not only for ourselves, but for 
all the partakers of our nature, whom thou hast made 
to share in our hopes and capacities of eternal happi- 
ness; especially for thy whole church, wheresoever or 
howsoever disposed of over all the earth; for all in au- 
thority, from the highest even to the lowest; for our 
ministers and teachers; for our relations and neigh- 
bours; our friends and benefactors; and for all thy 



SECOND WEEK. 113 

afflicted, whatsoever be their trials and troubles. O 
supply all their wants, and fulfil all their desires, so as 
thy wisdom sees best, for thy own mercy's sake in 
Jesus Christ. 

Thou, Lord, art the great preserver of men, who hast 
kept and blessed us to-day, and all our days. Praised 
be thy name for all thy goodness, which we so long 
and largely have experienced. O make us sensible and 
thankful, as we are obliged to be. Take care of us, O 
Lord, and be good to us this night. Give us bodily 
rest in our beds, and rest for our souls in thyself. And 
be thou our God and guide, our hope and help, our joy 
and comfort, and all in all to us this night, and for ever- 
more. Amen. 



FRIDAY MORNING. Jenks. 

O Lord our God! thy name is most excellent in all 
the earth: thou hast set thy glory above the heavens, 
and thou art worthy to be celebrated with everlasting 
praises of men and angels; for thou hast created all 
things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. 
Thy hands, O Lord, have made us and fashioned us, 
and thou hast breathed into our nostrils the breath of 
life; yea, still thou holdest our souls in life, and givest 
us every good thing that makes our lives a blessing 
and a comfort to us. Thou hast formed us for thy- 
self, that we should show forth thy praise, and live to 
thy glory, as we do continually live upon thy bounty. 

But, O Lord our God! we have not brought thee the 
glory thou hast made us capable of, and so many ways 
obliged us to; instead of that, O how greatly have we 
dishonoured thee, our God, in the whole course and 
conduct of our lives! time after time, forgetting the 
gracious Giver of all our good things, who art never 
unmindful of us. And O how soon have we been weary 
to do thee service, who art never weary to do us good! 
Yea, we have not only neglected thy work, but have 
been disobedient against thy word, and have gone after 
our own foolish and hurtful lusts, in such ways of living 
as thy laws and our own hearts disallow and condemn 
us for. 

K 2 



114 SECOND WEEK. 

And for these things we desire to pour out our hearts, 
and to humble ourselves here before thee; entreating 
thy gracious favour, for the sake of thy mercy in Christ 
Jesus, that thou wilt be pleased to give us repentance 
and pardon for all that is past, wherein we have offend- 
ed thee; whether in omitting of our duty, or failing in 
it, or doing contrary to it. However we have trans- 
gressed, O humble us duly under the sense of it; and 
for thy dear Son's sake, absolve us thoroughly from the 
guilt of it. 

And strengthen us, good Lord, with might, by the 
spirit of the inner man, to make us more watchful 
against, and more victorious over, the corruption of our 
nature, the temptations of the devil, and the distrac- 
tions and allurements of this sinful world, wherein we 
live. O destroy in us every vicious inclination, every 
evil habit, and rebellious notion, that exalts itself 
against the knowledge of God, and against the obe- 
dience of our Lord Jesus Christ. And increase and 
confirm in us still more and more, thy true knowledge, 
and faith, and fear, and love; and every grace of thy 
holy Spirit, which thou knowest to be most wanting in 
us, and necessary for us; such as may make our lives 
still more comfortable to ourselves, more profitable to 
others, and more to the glory of thy name. And how- 
ever it goes with us, as to the concerns of this present 
time, O that we may still be found in the way of our 
duty, fearing God, and working righteousness; that we 
may secure our interest in the great Saviour of the 
world, so that when all here shall fail us, thou mayest 
take us up, and be the strength of our hearts, and our 
portion for evermore. 

Day by day we magnify thee, O Lord, who makest 
every day of our lives still a further addition to thy 
mercies. We bless thee for our last night's preserva- 
tion and protection, and for the rest, and refreshment 
which thou hast given us therein. O cause us to hear 
thy loving kindness in the morning, for in thee do we 
trust; cause us to know the way wherein we shall go, 
for we lift up our souls to thee. Cast us not away from 
thy presence; take not thy Holy Spirit from us; but 
direct all our ways to please thee, our God, that thou 
mayest crown us with blessing and good success. Help 



SECOND WEEK. 115 

us to see thy power, to own thy presence, to admire 
thy wisdom, and to love thy goodness in all thy crea- 
tures. And by all the comforts of creatures, O draw our 
hearts still nearer to thyself, the blessed Creator of every 
comfort; and let our meditations of God be sweet as well 
as frequent, that delighting ourselves in the Lord, thou 
mayest give unto us the desires of our hearts. Such 
thy mercy and grace we beg for ourselves, and all ours, 
and thine, every where, in our great Mediator's form of 
prayer. Our Father, Sec. 



FRIDAY EVENING. Jenks. 

Our ever blessed and most gracious God! thou art 
the Lord and Giver of our lives and hopes, and of all 
our enjoyments and comforts. To thee we do owe our- 
selves, and all that ever we are capable of rendering and 
ascribing. For by thee, O Lord, we were created and 
have our being; and through thy good providence it is, 
that we still have been spared and preserved, and cared 
and provided for, throughout our whole lives unto this 
present time. From thee, our God, comes all our help, 
and in thee is reposed all our hope. Thou art the 
bountiful Giver of all the good that our souls desire, 
and the merciful withholder of all the evils that our sins 
deserve. We acknowledge thy great and daily good- 
ness to us, and our own exceeding unworthiness of the 
least of all thy mercies. We take shame and con- 
fusion to ourselves, that we have so little improved, 
and so greatly abused, all thy patience with us, and all 
the various instances of thy bounty to us. For even thy 
mercies help to inflame the heavy reckoning of our of- 
fences, because we have done so much against thee, 
after all the great things thou hast done for us. We de- 
sire, O Lord, to be penitent, and humbled for our sins 3 '; 
and to entreat thy gracious favour in Jesus Christ, for 
the pardon of them. Forgive us, we pray thee, for his 
sake, all the sins that ever we have committed against 
thee, and absolve us from all the evils whereof we now 
stand guilty before thee. And being justified by faith, 
grant us peace with God, through our Lord Jesus 
Christ. 

And we pray that thou wilt be to us a Father of mer 



116 SECOND WEEK. 

cies, and a God of consolation; so that thou wilt make 
us followers of God, as dear children; ever jealous over 
our hearts, and watchful over our ways; continually 
fearing to offend, and endeavouring to please thee: and 
keeping our hearts with all diligence, that they may not 
be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Thou 
knowest, O Lord, our weakness and danger of tempta- 
tion; our danger from the cruel, subtle enemy of our 
souls; and from this present world that is so full of 
snares; and from our own vile flesh and deceitful 
hearts, so apt to betray us into the enemies' hands; we 
pray, therefore, good Lord, that thou wilt arm us with 
the whole armour of God, and uphold us with thy free 
Spirit, and watch over us for good evermore. Espe- 
cially in the times of our sorest trials, let us experi- 
ence the strongest aids of thy heavenly grace, that we 
may never fall a prey to those deadly enemies that seek 
to devour us. 

And teach us, our God, to know the day of our grace, 
and the time of our visitation, and to see the things of 
our peace, and duly to mind and settle the great eter- 
nal affairs of our souls, in this our day, before they be 
hid from our eyes. And while we have time, O enable 
us to use and improve it, to those great ends for which 
thou art pleased to put that precious talent into our 
hands, that we may make the short and uncertain stay 
which we have here, an opportunity of securing to our- 
selves a sure and everlasting well-being, when we shall 
depart from hence. 

And seeing thou art pleased yet to hold our souls in 
life, and to make us find and feel, by every day's expe- 
rience, how abundantly gracious and merciful thou art, 
with much patience and long suffering, enduring us, 
and with loving-kindness and manifold blessings, still 
preventing and following us; O give us hearts more 
sensible of thy love, more affected with thy mercy, and 
more thankful for those continued favours which thou 
art pleased to multiply upon us. And help us to show 
forth thy praise and the truth of our thanks, not only 
in speaking good of the name of God, but so ordering 
our conversations as becomes the gospel of our Lord 
Jesus Christ. 

And to thy mercy in him, most merciful Father, we 



SECOND WEEK. 117 

do now humbly commend ourselves, and all that we are, 
and have, this present night; beseeching thee to pre- 
serve and defend, and bless and keep us, both in soul 
and body, from all evils and dangers, to which the 
weakness of our frame, and the greatness of our sins, do 
expose us. And grant us such comfortable repose, 
whereby our frail nature may be refreshed, and our de- 
cayed strength recovered, that we may rise again better 
fitted and enabled to serve thee according to thy will in 
all the duties of the following day, if thou shalt be 
pleased to make addition of another day to our lives. 
And as thou addest days and mercies, be pleased also to 
add repentance and amendments to our lives; that, as 
we come nearer to our end, we may be made still fitter 
to the enjoyment of thy heavenly kingdom; that every 
day may bring us still so much nearer to those ever- 
lasting joys and glories which thou hast prepared for 
them that love thee. And for all the good things that 
ever we have had, and do at present enjoy, and yet hope 
for from thy bountiful hands, thine, O blessed glorious 
Lord our God, be the praise, and honour, and glory, of- 
fered up with all grateful hearts, by us, and the whole 
church, now and for evermore, through the merits and 
intercession of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, to whom be 
praise and glory for ever. Amen. 



SATURDAY MORNING. Jenks. 

We do here present ourselves this morning before 
thy heavenly glorious Majesty, most blessed Lord our 
God, with the desire of our souls, to pay unto thee that 
tribute of homage and service, and prayer and praise, 
which thou hast made us capable of, and every way 
obliged us to. We desire to perform the same in such 
a manner, that thou mayest mercifully accept us and 
our services, at the hands of Christ Jesus. In his great 
name we come to thee, at thy command, and worship 
here at thy footstool, to beg thy pardon and peace, the 
increase of thy grace, and the tokens of thy love. For 
we are not worthy that thou shouldst in any way of 
mercy take notice of us, or be entreated by us: but wor- 
thy is the Lamb of God, slain to take away the sins of 



118 SECOND WEEK. 

the world, for whose sake do thou, O Lord, mercifully 
look upon us; for he has fulfilled those holy laws, which 
we have broken, and perfectly satisfied the justice of 
heaven for all our breaches of them. And in him thou 
art a God gracious and merciful, to poor sinners, who 
deserve nothing from thee, but to be forsaken and ab- 
horred by thee. Unto us belong shame and confusion 
of face for our sins, and fearful expectation of all the 
judgments and miseries which thy laws denounce 
against sinners: if thou, Lord, shouldst be extreme to 
mark what we have done amiss; if thou shouldst deal 
with us and proceed against us as injustice thou mightest. 

But, O gracious Father, regard not what we have 
done against thee, but what our blessed Saviour has 
done for us; not what we have made ourselves, but 
what he is made of thee, our God, unto us. And O 
that Christ may be to every one of our souls, what he 
is to all thy faithful people, wisdom, and righteousness, 
and sanctification, and redemption; that his precious 
blood may cleanse us from all our sins; and that the 
grace of thy Holy Spirit may further renew and sancti- 
fy our souls, and subdue our iniquities, and mortify our 
lusts; and quicken us to, and enable us for the perform- 
ance of all the duties of thy holy service. O let not sin 
reign in our mortal bodies, that we should obey it in 
the lust thereof. Let there be no sin in us but what is 
felt and hated, bewailed and resisted by us; and let us 
approve our very hearts to thee, the Searcher of them; 
and all our ways still pleasing in thy sight. 

O teach us to know thee, our God, and enable us to 
do thy will as we ought to do. Give us hearts to fear 
thee, and love thee; to trust and delight in thee, and to 
adhere and cleave in faithfulness unto thee. That no 
temptations may draw us, nor any tribulations drive us 
from thee; but that all thy dispensations to us, and all 
thy dealings with us, may be the messengers of thy 
love to our souls, to bring us still nearer to thy blessed 
self, and to make us still fitter for thy heavenly kingdom. 
Quicken us, O Lord, in our dulness; that we may not 
serve thee in a lifeless and listless manner; but may 
abound in thy work, and be fervent in spirit, serving 
the Lord. And make us also faithful in all the offices 
of intercourse with our neighbours; that we may be 



SECOND WEEK. 119 

ready to do good, and bear evil, and forbear revenge; 
and be just and kind, merciful and meek, peaceable and 
patient, sober and temperate, humble and self-denying, 
inoffensive and useful in the world. That so glorifying 
thee here upon earth, we may, at our departure hence, 
enter into the joy of our Lord, and be forever glorified 
in thy heavenly kingdom. 

O Thou that hast kept us alive to this day, and hast 
been still good and kind to us all our days, renew thy 
mercy to us, we beseech thee, together with this morn- 
ing light; and as thou makest the outgoings of the 
morning and evening to rejoice, so lift up the light of 
thy countenance upon us, and make us glad with the 
tokens of thy love; and thou that art ever present with 
us, O make us ever well aware of thy presence, that we 
i duly remember thee in all our ways, and wisely and 
piously demean ourselves in all our affairs. Be with us, 
good Lord, at our going out, and our coming in; and 
! let thy grace follow us this day, and all the days of our 
] life. Be thou our guide unto death, in death our com- 
fort, and after death our portion and happiness ever- 
j lasting. O hear us from heaven, thy dwelling place; 
and, when thou hearest, have mercy; forgive the sins 
of our persons, and the sins of our prayers; and do 
more for us than we are worthy to expect at thy hands, 
for his sake, who alone is worthy; in whose compre- 
1 hensive words we sum up all our desires. Our Father, 
Sec. 



SATURDAY EVENING. Jenks. 

O Lord, we desire to seek thy face, and to wait upon 
thee in the duties of thy worship; entreating thy gra- 
cious favour with our whole hearts, that we may do all 
as we ought, with good acceptance to our God. And 
to whom should we make our applications, but unto 
thee, the Father of mercies and the fountain of all good- 
ness, who art able to do exceeding abundantly for us, 
even above all that we can ask or think; and who hast 
declared thy willingness to be solicited by us; and thy 
readiness to hear, and help, and answer us, in those 
things which we beg at thy gracious and bountiful 



120 SECOND WEEK. 

hands, in the name and mediation of our great Lord and 
Saviour: O let our prayer be set before thee as in- 
cense, and the lifting up of our hands be as the evening 
sacrifice. It is in his blessed name alone, that we have 
the encouragement and boldness to beg of thy infinite 
goodness all that thou knowest to be needful and expe- 
dient for us; seeing there is in ourselves no good thing 
to recommend us to thy favour and acceptance; but a 
proneness and inclination to what is displeasing in thy 
eyes, and destructive to our souls. For besides that 
we were by nature the children of wrath, a seed of 
evil doers, the sinful offspring of rebellious parents; we 
have been daily trespassing upon thee, and still adding 
to the heavy score of our offences against thee. There 
is nothing in us, O Lord, but what may provoke thee 
to reject us: but there is enough in thy beloved Son, of 
all grace and goodness, to move thee mercifully to ac- 
cept us. He was made sin for us, who knew no sin, 
that we might be made the righteousness of God in 
him; and that we might be saved through faith in his 
merits, where we could not be saved by any desert of 
our own works. As the chastisement of our peace was 
upon him, so let the merits of his righteousness be upon 
us; and by his stripes let our souls be healed. 

Nor do we only beg for pardon of our sins, but also 
for power against them, and grace sufficient for us to 
break them off, and to walk more pleasingly before thee, 
in all the ways and duties of righteousness and holi- 
ness, which thy word prescribes to us. O never suffer 
us to be tempted above what we are able; but make our 
temptations less, or thy grace in us, and our spiritual 
strength, still greater than all our temptations; that no 
iniquities may prevail against us, nor any presumptu- 
ous sin have dominion over us. O make us more con- 
formable to the pattern and the precepts of our Saviour, 
and more transformed into his holy image and likeness. 
So that our light may shine before men, to the glory of 
thee our heavenly Father, and to the edification of those 
with whom we have our conversation. 

And together with our own, we commend to thy 
mercy, O God of the spirits of all flesh, the necessities 
and distresses of all our brethren throughout the 
world. O enlighten the ignorant, quicken the careless, 



SECOND WEEK. 121 

awake the secure, convince the erroneous, reclaim the 
vicious, establish the unsettled, and comfort the de- 
jected. Bring all to the knowledge and love of thy 
truth, and to the participation of thy grace, and the 
obedience of Christ; and so to the blessed hope of thy 
heavenly glory, and to the eternal salvation of our 
souls. We pray more particularly for all our magis- 
trates and ministers of the gospel; and all our friends 
and relations; and all thy servants, and all the afflicted 
every where; especially those for whose happiness and 
salvation thou knowest us to be chiefly concerned. O 
do thou for us, and for them, as thou knowest best, and 
most needful and expedient, for thy own mercy's sake 
in Jesus Christ. 

*To thee we now render humble and hearty thanks 
for thy mercy to our family during another week. We 
thank thee that during its days and nights thou hast 
watched around our dwelling — hast met our returning 
wants — hast given us food convenient for us, and the 
protection of raiment, and a home. We praise thee 
that so many of our friends have been continued to us; 
and that thou dost still preserve to us the enjoyments 
of a Christian land. Thou hast in mercy brought us 
again near to the day of sacred rest. If it be thy good 
pleasure to keep us through this night—- which we 
humbly implore — we pray that thou wilt prepare us for 
the duties of another holy day. Awake us in the morn- 
ing with a lively sense of thy mercies; with a spirit of 
prayer; with hearts fitted to be impressed by religious 
truth; and with a deep conviction of thy goodness in 
the resurrection of our Lord Jesus from the grave. Go 
with us, if we may go, to the house of worship; and 
meet us in the sanctuary and bless us. Aid all thy mi- 
nistering servants, that they may declare thy truth with 
simplicity and power. May thy spirit descend on the 
churches; on all Sunday schools; and on all who are 
engaged in designs of benevolence; and may the mor- 
row be a day long to be remembered in Zion, and the 
time soon come when thy Sabbath shall be observed by 
all the family of mankind.* 

And now that the night is upon us, and we are ready 
to betake ourselves to our rest, we commit ourselves to 
thy gracious protection, who never sleepest nor slum- 

L 



122 THIRD WEEK. 

berest, but hast still a watchful eye upon thy people. O 
watch over us, our God, we pray thee, for good; that 
none of the evils or harms which our sins have de- 
served may befall us. Preserve us from the works, and 
from the powers of darkness, and from all the terrors 
and dangers of the night. Let all our sins, to day or 
any time heretofore committed, be removed out of thy 
sight, and show us the light of thy countenance, O 
Lord, to refresh us with the sense of thy blessed love 
and favour, in our dear Redeemer; for whom, and to 
whom, with thy eternal self, and Holy Spirit, be all 
thanks and praise, and honour, and glory, ascribed of 
us and all thy church, from this time forth, world with- 
out end. Amen. 



THIRD "WEEK, 



SABBATH MORNING. Smith. 

O Thou who art the Author and Preserver of our 
lives, unto thee we would now lift up our voice and our 
hearts. Teach us to approach unto thee with that re- 
verence which becometh all thy creatures; and vouch- 
safe to draw near unto us, as a God of pity, of mercy, 
and of grace. 

We adore thee, O God, who hast made us for thy 
service; that thou hast given us thy word to direct us 
in thy worship; and that one day in every seven of our 
lives is appointed for this purpose. As the unworthy, 
but professing disciples of Jesus Christ, who hope for 
acceptance only through his merits and mediation, we 
would now offer up our morning sacrifice to the God, 
and Father, and fountain of all. This is the day which 
thou hast made; the day upon which thy Son rose from 
the dead, finishing the work of our redemption; that 
happy day when the love of God, the grace of Jesus 
Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, may be 
humbly expected wherever two or three are met toge- 
ther in the name of the adorable Trinity. Wilt thou 



THIRD WEEK. 123 

then, O most high and incomprehensible Jehovah! ac- 
cept of the dedication which we now make thee of our 
bodies and souls? 

We are sensible that we have rendered ourselves un- 
worthy of thy notice, having* lost thy image, and broken 
thy commandments. But, God of all grace, thou art in 
Christ again reconciling a guilty world unto thyself, not 
imputing unto men their trespasses; and, therefore, we 
would now believingly, although humbly, draw near, 
asking and hoping every thing for his sake. Let these 
sins which we have formerly committed against much 
goodness, much love, and much light, be all blotted out 
of the book of thy remembrance. Let these worthless 
souls of ours be clothed with the wedding garment of 
a Redeemer's righteousness, that we may thus be inter- 
ested in the privileges of his kingdom. O thou giver 
of every good and perfect gift, create in us all clean 
hearts, and renew right spirits within us, that we may 
love thee— that we may fear thee — that it may be as our 
meat and our drink at all times to do thy holy will. 
We thank thee, O God, for that providential care and 
goodness which thou ha,st exercised towards us during 
the past week, and the past night. Prepare us for all 
the duties in which we are this day to be engaged. 
When we are allowed to enter into thine earthly tem- 
ple, let all worldly wishes, worldly cares, and worldly 
thoughts of every sort, be banished from our minds. 
Enable us to sing thy praises with gratitude in our 
hearts. Grant that we may read thy holy Scriptures 
for our instruction and comfort. May the prayers 
which we shall this day offer up for ourselves and 
others, so far as is consistent with thy glory, be accept- 
ed; and let thy word preached enlighten our under- 
standings, spiritualize our hopes, confirm our faith, re- 
kindle our love, and inspire us with new resolutions to 
live more becoming the professions we make, and the 
privileges we enjoy. 

And when we return from thy house, forbid, O God, 
that we should spend any part of thy day in thinking 
our own thoughts, speaking our own words, or minding 
our own pleasures; but let it be an entire Sabbath of 
rest unto our souls, reflecting upon what we have 
heard, laying up thy doctrines and precepts in our me- 



124 THIRD WEEK. 

mories, examining, by thy Word and Spirit, into our 
state; and renewing, by thine all-sufficient grace, our 
broken vows, and unfulfilled engagements. 

And thus, O Father, into whose hands we have com- 
mitted our immortal spirits, by thus wisely and profit- 
ably spending our Sabbaths on earth, may we all be 
trained up and prepared for that eternal Sabbath in hea- 
ven, where we shall see thee as thou art, feel all thy 
perfections conspiring to make us happy, join in endless 
worship with an innumerable company of angels and 
dignified spirits, be introduced into thy presence, where 
there is fulness of joy, and be admitted to sit down at 
thy right hand, where there are pleasures for evermore. 

O Lord, might we still intercede in behalf of our bre- 
thren of mankind! Thou hast promised by the blood 
of thy covenant, to speak peace unto the heathen. 
Soon, O God, give them to thy Son as his inheritance, 
with the utmost parts of the earth for his possession. 
Where the gospel is preached and professed, may mul- 
titudes be converted, and made a willing people in the 
day of thy power. Pour out, O God, a double portion 
of thy Holy Spirit, upon all the ministers of the ever- 
lasting gospel; and may they be enabled to discharge 
the important trust committed to them with fidelity 
and diligence, with thy approbation, and with abundant 
success. Let the churches with which we are more 
immediately connected have rest; and walking" together 
in the fear of the Lord, and comforts of the Holy Ghost, 
may they be edified and multiplied. 

Our relatives and friends, wherever they are, may 
their bodies be the objects of thy providential care, 
and all their souls the subjects of thy saving grace. If 
it be thy will let us have many comfortable and useful 
meetings in this world, and may none of us be found 
wanting in that day when thou countest thy jewels. 
Such as may now be more immediately under thy af- 
flicting hand, O God, console, support, and, in thy due 
time, deliver; and may we all have an interest in that 
sure promise, that all things at last shall work together 
for good. 

Now, unto the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, 
the only wise God, be honour and glory, for ever and 
ever. Jimen. 



THIRD WEEK. 125 

SABBATH EVENING. Smith. 

Our Father that art in heaven, hallowed be thy sa- 
cred name. For we, that are in ourselves but as dust 
and ashes, have, nevertheless, been permitted again 
and again this day to draw near and supplicate at the 
throne of thy grace. We confess, that even the iniqui- 
ties of our holy things testify against us; and hadst 
thou been strict to mark our vain, polluted, and sinful 
thoughts, even in thy worship, thou mightest have cast 
us off. But, O Lord, we admire, and adore 5 and would 
even rejoice in these gracious declarations, which thou 
hast given us in thy word, that thou takest no pleasure 
in the destruction of sinners; and knowing our frame, 
remembering we are but dust, and therefore exacting 
of us less than our iniquities deserve, thou art long- 
suffering, slow to anger, full of compassion, and plen- 
teous in mercy. 

Blessed God, may every returning consideration of 
thy glorious attributes, but especially these astonishing 
expressions of thy loving-kindness and tender mercy to 
the human race, so conquer and soften our hard and 
stony hearts, as that they may now melt down, and flow 
out, in ardent love, and humble gratitude; thus ending 
thy day, as we sweetly began it, with thine easy yoke, 
in thy delightful service. 

O God, keep us in patient waiting until that glorious 
hour, when we may hope to join that blessed company 
around thy throne, and sing the song of Moses and the 
Lamb. Make us thankful for those communications of 
thy love and grace, which, but tasted here below, give 
more true peace, and solid pleasure, than the men of the 
world enjoy, when their corn, and wine, and creature 
comforts, do most abound. 

O God, give us a greater relish for these pure and 
spiritual joys. We long to have more of the temper 
and disposition of the holy Psalmist, when he said, 
" As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth 
my soul after thee, O God!" We wish to say, " How 
amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts! a day 
spent in thy courts, is better than a thousand otherwise 
employed." 

Lord, grant that the worship and services in which 
l 2 



126 THIRD WEEK. 

we have lately been engaged, may be followed not only 
by thy gracious pardon, but with thy efficacious bene- 
diction. May neither the cares nor the pleasures of 
this world destroy the seed of the word which may 
have been this day sown in our hearts; but may it 
spring up, and bear fruit, some thirty, sixty, or an hun- 
dred fold. 

We have desired the sincere milk of the word, that 
we may grow thereby. We are one Sabbath day's 
journey nearer the end of life. God grant that we be 
nearer to heaven in our tempers, in our conduct, in our 
desires and affections. 

From this night we would desire to lead a life more 
conformable to the holy gospel we profess, and to the 
glorious hopes we are permitted to entertain. 

Will the Lord be pleased to follow with his blessing 
the preaching of the gospel every where. Wherever 
the name of Christ hath this day been named, may 
multitudes see their need of his salvation, and be con- 
strained to fly to him as their city of refuge. And, let 
the glorious period spoken of in an ancient prophecy, 
soon come, when the whole earth shall be full of the 
knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the channel 
of the sea. 

Will God be pleased to hear the intercessions which 
have this day been put up through all his churches,' 
more especially for our native country, the government 
under which we live, thy church as established among 
us, and all sects and denominations of real Christians. 
Be pleased, O Lord, to pardon what may have been 
asked amiss; and where thy servants may have ne- 
glected to ask for needful blessings to themselves and 
others, do thou, of thine infinite goodness, supply the 
deficiency. And now, O God, permit us to commend 
our bodies and souls to thy paternal care this night. 
Thou art the keeper of Israel, who never slumbereth 
nor sleepeth. Give us composed and refreshing sleep. 
Be at our right hand, and we will not fear what evil men 
or evil spirits, can do to us; and having found that thou 
hast been our refuge and defence all the night long, may 
we awake in the morning disposed to meditate upon 
thy goodness and mercy. O may we live in thy love 
and fear all our days, and improve by every dispensa- 



THIRD WEEK. 127 

tion of thy providence and grace, and at last be admit- 
ted, with all ours, into thy heavenly kingdom. We ask 
and hope for every blessing, in the name, and for the 
sake, of our dear Redeemer. Jimen. 



MONDAY MORNING. Smith. 

Incomprehensible, but infinitely great and glorious 
Jehovah, we are again this morning permitted to lift 
up our hearts and voice unto thee. Thou didst at the 
first make man after thine own image, a little lower 
than the angels, and crowned him with honour and with 
glory; but our first parents broke thy covenant, and we 
have fallen from this holy and happy condition, into a 
state of guilt, pollution, and misery. 

We are but of yesterday, and know nothing. We are 
a seed of evil-doers, who have gone astray from every 
right path; and thy pure and perfect law hath justly 
concluded us all under sin, that every mouth may be 
stopped, and the whole world become guilty before 
God. 

But thou hast not left us altogether, nor in any age 
in this dark and forlorn situation. For, when the 
world by wisdom knew not God, and the way of man 
was not in himself, God, at sundry times, and in divers 
manners, spake in times past to our fathers by the 
prophets, and in these last days spoken still more clear- 
ly and fully by his own Son. 

O God, our Father, through the operation of the 
Holy Spirit, engage us all to make a saving application 
of this Son of thine, as the Lamb slain from the founda- 
tion of the world; and to whom all the prophets gave 
witness, and now once in the end of the world hath ap- 
peared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 

Receive, we beseech thee, O God, this morning, our 
sincere and united thanks for that protection which 
thou hast afforded us, and the refreshing sleep we have 
enjoyed during the past night. Be with us, O our 
heavenly Father through the whole of this day, and of 
this week, whose secular employments we are now 
about to enter upon. In all our transactions with the 
world, may we be conscientiously just, knowing that all 



128 THIRD WEEK. 

who do unrighteously are an abomination unto the 
Lord. 

Let us guide our affairs with discretion, so as that we 
may have it in our power to show favour, and assist our 
neighbour, in whatsoever business he hath need of us, 
as becometh saints. 

Enable us, O God, upon all occasions, and in all si- 
tuations, to shew mercy, that we may never have judg- 
ment without mercy from thee. If thou shouldst see 
meet to crown our lawful endeavours, so as that we in- 
crease and abound in the good things of this life, Lord, 
let our rising in the world go hand in hand with the 
preservation and comfortable subsistence of all around 
us. 

But, O, let us take heed from morning to night, lest 
at any time our hearts be overcharged with the cares of 
this life; for thou hast expressly said, "He that maketh 
haste to be rich, shall not be innocent." 

Lord, deliver us from the inordinate love of money, 
which is the root of all evil; which, while some coveted 
after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced them- 
selves through with many sorrows. 

O Lord, we would not be over anxious to lay up for 
ourselves treasures ou earth, where moth and rust doth 
corrupt, and where thieves may break through and 
steal; but would be laying up for ourselves treasures in 
heaven, that where our treasure is, there our hearts may 
be also forever. 

Lord, we would keep alive upon our minds, both the 
shortness and the uncertainty of time. May this en- 
gage us to redeem it, and so to number all our days, as 
to be applying them toward an habitual preparation for 
death. Lord, give us this day our daily bread. For- 
give us our numberless failings, and short-comings in 
duty. Forbid that we indulge either envy or malice in 
our hearts toward any fellow creature. If it be thy holy 
will, may we fall into no temptation, but which thou wilt 
enable us to resist and overcome. And in the evening 
may we return to a throne of grace, with a conscience 
void of offence, and a heart replenished with gratitude 
to God, for the privileges and blessings of another day. 
Now unto the Three that bear record in heaven, the 



THIRD WEEK. 129 

Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, be ascribed, as 
is most due, all praise, and power, dominion, and glory, 
world without end. Jimen. 



MONDAY EVENING. Smith. 

Our Father, in heaven — evening-, as well as morning, 
would we approach thy more immediate presence, with 
our humble tribute of adoration and praise. Thou art 
the greatest and the best of beings. There is none like 
unto thee in all the earth. Among the gods there is 
none like unto thee, O Lord! none like unto thee in 
heaven above, or on the earth beneath. Thou art the 
eternal God, with whom a thousand years are as one 
day, and one day as a thousand years. 

Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth, 
and the heavens are the work of thy hands: they shall 
perish, but thou shalt endure; yea, all of them shall 
wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change 
them, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, 
and thy years shall have no end. 

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding 
the evil and the good. 

How then " shall we go from thy Spirit, or whither 
shall we flee from thy presence? If we ascend up into 
heaven, thou art there; if we make our bed in hell, be- 
hold, thou art there: if we say, surely the darkness 
shall cover us, even the night shall be light about us: 
for the darkness hideth not from thee, but the night 
shineth as the day; the darkness and the light are both 
alike to thee." 

How then ought our hearts to tremble, O Lord, when 
we consider also that thou art infinitely pure and just? 
Thou art the Holy One of Israel, whose name is holy, 
and who dwellest in the high and holy place. 

And surely God will not do wickedly, neither will 
the Almighty pervert judgment: for the work of a man 
will he render unto him, and cause every man to find 
according to his ways. Yet, notwithstanding all this, 
we lift up our heads and hearts in hope. Blessed be 
God's name for that reviving declaration: "O Israel, 
thou hast destroyed thyself, but in me is thine help." 



130 THIRD WEEK. 

To bring about our salvation, thou didst not spare thy 
Son; but in due time sent him into the world. We re- 
joice that Christ came not to do away the law, but to 
fulfil it; that by fulfilling all righteousness, he became 
the Mediator of a better covenant; that by his death 
upon the cross, the hand-writing of ordinances, that 
was against us, is blotted out; for he took it out of the 
way, nailing it to his cross. By him we have now re- 
ceived the atonement; and to him alone we look, and 
in him alone would we confide as our Mediator and 
Advocate with the Father. Yea, doubtless, and we 
would count all things but loss for the excellency of 
the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord, that we may 
win Christ, and be found in him; not having our own 
righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is 
through the faith of Christ, even the righteousness 
which is of God by faith. 

Lord, enable us to walk worthy of this holy vocation 
wherewith we are called, and to put our trust in thee, 
that we may never be ashamed, and that thou mayest 
deliver us in thy righteousness. O that we could at all 
times say, Whom have we in heaven but God? and 
there is none upon earth that we desire in comparison 
with him: our flesh and our hearts faileth, but he is 
the strength of our heart, and, we would hope, our por- 
tion for ever. 

Lord, help us to consider that the end of all things, 
as to us, may be near at hand, and therefore we should 
be sober, and watch unto prayer; looking diligently 
unto ourselves, lest any of us fail of the grace of God; 
and so numbering all our days, as that we may apply 
our hearts unto true wisdom. 

God grant that we may never be like the men of the 
world, which have all their portion in this life, and who 
say of it, " This is my rest, here will I dwell, for I have 
desired it;" but, on the contrary, finding that for true 
happiness we here have laboured in vain, and spent our 
strength for nought, and that all our days are vanity, 
may we cry out, I loathe it, I would not live always! 
O, that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly 
away, and be at rest. Lord, keep us ever in a waiting 
posture, and enable us to see thy hand, and to acknow- 
ledge thy will, in every thing that befalls us. 



THIRD WEEK. 131 

For the health of body and composure of mind which 
we have this day enjoyed, we would express our thank- 
fulness to a gracious God. Be with us, heavenly Father, 
during the silent watches of the ensuing night. Pre- 
serve us still from disease of body, and from distress of 
mind: or, if it should be thy will that we receive sucji 
chastisements from thy hand, Lord, give us patience to 
endure them, and a happy issue out of them in due 
time. Let the putting off our clothes this night re- 
mind us of the putting off of these mortal bodies, which 
must, ere long, return to the dust: and O grant that we 
may be both habitually and actually prepared for the 
important event. May the like blessings, both tempo- 
ral and spiritual, be bestowed upon all who are near 
and dear to us. In thy fear and love, and in mutual 
good offices, may we live whilst in this world, and ere 
long meet together in that kingdom, and in those man- 
sions, which our dear Redeemer hath been preparing 
from the beginning of time. 

In his name we ask every blessing; and to him, with 
thee, O Father, and the Eternal Spirit, be all praise, 
and honour, and glory. Amm. 



TUESDAY MORNING. Smith. 

O thou Creator and Preserver of all things, behold 
us again, this morning, at the footstool of thy throne. 
We draw near, permitted and encouraged by thy word, 
to adore thy perfections, and to give thee thanks for the 
many favours conferred upon us. We come also to 
confess our demerit and sinfulness, and to plead for thy 
pardoning mercy and recovering grace. And who is 
like unto thee, O thou great, eternal, invisible, and in- 
comprehensible object of our spiritual worship! Before 
all things thou didst exist: from everlasting to everlast- 
ing thou art the only living and true God, infinite in 
wisdom, power, goodness, and mercy. Of thy good- 
will and pleasure thou didst at first bring us out of 
nothing into existence. But that rank of being which 
we hold in the scale of creation, demands our further 
and most grateful acknowledgment. We are wiser 
than the fowls of heaven, and have more understanding 



132 THIRD WEEK. 

than the beasts that perish. We bless God that we are 
endued with rational and immortal souls, and made ca- 
pable of knowing, worshipping, and enjoying him. We 
would express our thankfulness this morning for all 
that care, protection, and kindness, which we have ex- 
perienced from our birth to the present hour; for spar- 
ing us in childhood, guiding us in youth, and preserv- 
ing us amidst the numberless diseases and dangers of 
riper years. We thank thee for our daily food, for our 
warm and decent clothing, for all the necessaries of 
life, and those many conveniences and comforts which 
we enjoy beyond thousands of our fellow-creatures 
around us. But, above all, we would ever adore and 
praise God for his inestimable love and grace in Jesus 
Christ. 

We had destroyed ourselves, but in God there was 
help found. When there was no eye to pity, nor hand 
to help, he sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world. 
We believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the only true Mes- 
siah, and that he died for our offences, and rose again 
for our justification. 

We fly to thee in him, as the alone foundation for 
pardon, reconciliation, adoption into the family of hea- 
ven, and every spiritual blessing. O let the Holy Spi- 
rit be given unto us, to seal our souls unto the day of 
redemption. Let him be as a Spirit of wisdom to guide 
us at all times; as a Spirit of holiness, to regenerate 
and cleanse our souls from every impure desire; and as 
a Spirit of might and power, to strengthen us, that we 
may neither be ashamed nor afraid, when we have re- 
spect unto all thy commandments. Lord, we are poor, 
short-sighted creatures, and know not what temporal 
blessings to ask at thy hands; for we know not what 
shall eventually be best for us. If consistent with thy 
will, may we hope that goodness and mercy shall still 
follow us. 

What are we, and what is our father's house, that 
thou hast brought us up hitherto? When we think of 
what we have received, O God, and compare it with 
what we deserve, we are lost in wonder and astonish- 
ment at thy goodness. Let it not be altogether lost: 
may it lead us to gratitude and humility, to repentance, 
and to a mindfulness of our latter end: for we know not 



THIRD WEEK. 133 

what is between us and the grave. Thou mayest yet 
see meet to teach us in the school of adversity. Help 
us then to say, " It is the Lord's will, let him do what 
seemeth him good. Shall we receive good at the hand 
of the Lord, and shall we not also receive evil?" Lay 
not upon us more than thou wilt enable us to bear, that 
the issue of all shall be to thy glory, and for our greater 
good. 

Lord, accept of our sincere thanks for that freedom 
from pain, both of body and mind, which we have en- 
joyed during the past night. There are many, no 
doubt, whose cry, during the lingering hours, hath 
been, would God it were morning! and who even now 
(the distress remaining) may be saying, would God it 
were evening! Lord God, take pity upon such, and in 
thy good time relieve them: and elevate all our hearts 
towards that time and place, when God shall wipe away 
all tears from our eyes, and there shall be no more 
death; neither sorrow nor crying; neither shall there 
be any more pain; the former things being for ever 
passed away. Until this period come, until death, 
which leadeth unto it, may we all be kept in a waiting 
posture. May we watch as well as pray, that we be ac- 
tually as well as habitually, prepared for death: for 
blessed are those servants whom the Lord, when he 
cometh, shall find watching. Now, unto him that sup- 
plieth all our need, according to his riches in glory, by 
Jesus Christ; to the Three that bear record in heaven, 
the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, be honour 
and glory, thanksgiving and praise, for ever and ever. 
Amen. 



TUESDAY EVENING. Smith. 

God of all goodness and grace, hear our prayer this 
evening, and give ear to the words of our mouth. We 
would call upon thee, who alone art worthy to be 
praised, and who hast given us reason to hope that thou 
wilt send out thy light and thy truth, to lead and bring 
us to thy holy hill, even unto a throne of grace, where 
we may obtain mercy to pardon, and grace to help in 
time of need. We know, and would have ever deeply 

M 



134 THIRD WEEK. 

impressed on our minds, that the Lord, he is great, and 
that our Lord is above all gods. Thou remainest for 
ever the same, and thy throne is from generation to ge- 
neration. One day is with thee as a thousand years, 
and a thousand years as one day. The Most High, 
whom we would now worship, dwelleth not in temples 
made with hands. Heaven is his throne, and the earth 
is his footstool; yet his eyes run to and fro through the 
world: from the place of thy habitation thou lookest 
down upon all the inhabitants of the earth, and consi- 
derest all their works. There is no iniquity with the 
Lord our God: thou art the Lord who lovest righteous- 
ness, and exercisest judgment in the earth; and thou 
hast appointed a day when thou wilt judge the world in 
righteousness. What then must become of us, O Lord, 
who have always been ungrateful, and so often broken 
thy most just and easy commandments? To us, in- 
deed, O God, belongeth shame and confusion of face; 
and more especially when we think of thy holiness, and 
our impurity and sinfulness. 

Thou didst create us after thy image, but we have let 
it be defaced. Thou hast favoured us with the light of 
revelation; but we have loved the ways and works of 
darkness. Thy law, O God, which is exceeding broad, 
hath been often read to us, and its precepts impressed 
on our minds, but in how many instances have we 
transgressed against it! 

O deal not with us according to our folly, but see our 
shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed; that 
he, like unto Aaron of old, may bear our iniquity, and 
we be accepted at a throne of grace through him. 

We look to Christ alone for acceptance with the Fa- 
ther, who blotted out the hand-writing of ordinances 
that was against us, and took it out of the way, nailing 
it to his cross; even thy Son, O God, who thus (as it 
became him) fulfilled all unrighteousness; and being 
the Mediator of a better covenant, brought in a better 
hope, by the which hope we draw nigh unto God. And 
thus looking, O God, and thus hoping, we would not 
only humbly expect the pardon of all our sins, but even 
a comfortable persuasion thereof in our own minds, 
with all those advantages which accompany or flow 
from it. 



THIRD WEEK. 135 

Lord, give us that best of evidences which ariseth 
from a conformity of mind and will to thee, and to our 
blessed Master. Let us have grace, whereby we may 
serve God acceptably. None of us would henceforward 
live unto ourselves. We are not our own, for we are 
bought with a price. May we therefore glorify God 
in our body, and in our spirit, which are God's. 

We would, we hope and trust, form sincere resolu- 
tions this evening, to live more and more soberly, ho- 
nestly, and godly, in this present evil world. And to 
this purpose, O God, teach us to reflect seriously upon 
the shortness of life; the rapidity with which our days, 
and weeks, and months, and years pass away. Help us 
to consider that our career may terminate every mo- 
ment, when death shall summon us to judgment, and 
the consequences be eternal. Lord, teach us therefore 
so to number and estimate every day as if it were our 
last. Like the foolish virgins, may we not sleep, or 
even slumber, in a cold outward profession; but having 
our loins girded, and our lamps burning, may we imi- 
tate the wise virgins, be ever watching, and making 
ready for the coming of our Lord; and thus we may 
hope to appear before him with confidence and holy 

joy- 
Keep us this night, O God, under the shadow of thy 
wings, and defend our bodies and souls from all evil. 
Refresh us with sleep; and if thou art pleased to grant 
us the privilege of another day in this state of proba- 
tion, may our renewed strength be employed to advance 
thy glory, and promote the best interests of all around 
us. O Lord, continue still to be kind and favourable to 
all our relations and friends. May we all be united in 
the same covenant of redemption here, and be permit- 
ted to enjoy its more glorious privileges together here- 
after. Let the country where we live, and while we 
live, O God, if consistent with the great designs of thy 
providence, never be the seat of war, but the residence 
of liberty and peace. We long for the time when wars 
shall cease to the ends of the earth, and there shall be 
nothing to hurt nor destroy in all thy holy mountain. 
Hasten that happy time, O God, and prepare the world 
for it. And now the God of Israel cause us to go from 



136 THIRD WEEK. 

his throne in peace, and with the hope of pardon and 
acceptance: and to the Father, Son, and blessed Spirit, 
be eternal praises. Amen. 



WEDNESDAY MORNING. Smith. 

O Thou most holy, blessed, and glorious Lord God, 
whom we are bound by every tie to worship and obey; 
behold us again, this morning, before the throne of thy 
grace. We laid ourselves down in peace — we have 
during the past night taken our rest in safety; and by 
thy kind providence we are entering upon the duties 
and enjoyments of another day. 

A wearisome night might have been appointed us; 
thou mightest have alarmed us with dreams, and terri- 
fied us through visions; and we might have been full 
of tossings to and fro, until the dawning: but thou hast 
bestowed on us sleep, such as thou givest to thy be- 
loved, and our beds have comforted and refreshed us. 
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
for this renewed instance of his sustaining power and 
preserving goodness. 

This morning again would we say, Come and hear, 
all ye that fear God, and we will declare what he hath 
done for our bodies and souls. Thine hand, O God, 
created us at the first. And we thank thee, O Lord, 
that thou hast not only granted us life, and thy visita- 
tion to preserve our spirit in the helpless state of infan- 
cy and childhood; but that thou hast cast our lot in a 
part of the world where light and liberty, peace and 
plenty, have so long existed and flourished. 

Incomprehensible Being, who searchest the heart, 
and to whom every secret motion within us is known, 
behold our souls prostrate before the throne of thy 
grace this morning, ready again to take hold of thy 
covenant and strength, that we may make peace with 
thee, and that thou mayest make peace with us. Look 
down, O God of mercy, upon us; and for thine own 
sake, and according to thy express word and promise, 
blot out our transgressions, and remember our sins 
no more. 

Behold, O God, our shield, and look upon the face of 



THIRD WEEK. 137 

thine anointed, thy beloved Son, in whom thou art ever 
well pleased; who appeared in our world to put away 
sin by the sacrifice of himself; and by this one offering 
hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. O! 
for his sake, forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all 
unrighteousness. And now may the peace of God, 
which passeth all understanding, keep our hearts and 
minds, through Christ Jesus. We would not be over 
anxious for that peace and prosperity which the world 
giveth. But we pray for that peace, which Jesus Christ 
hath promised, and left for all his disciples; a peace 
which the world can neither give nor take away; and 
through which our hearts may not be troubled, or in 
any degree afraid. 

We must confess, O God, that if thou shouldest be 
strict to mark iniquities, we have often had cause to be 
both ashamed and afraid. 

Thou hast also said in thy word, that the just shall 
live by faith; but if any man draw back, my soul shall 
have no pleasure in him. Wilt thou heal our back- 
slidings, and pardon our numberless failings in duty. 
Thou hast said, return, thou backsliding Israel, and I 
will not cause mine anger to fall upon you. Turn thou 
us unto thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned; and from 
this day enlighten and renew, more and more, every 
faculty and power of our mind and soul, that we may 
give all diligence to add to our faith, virtue, knowledge, 
temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, 
and charity; that these things being in us, and abound- 
ing, we may neither be barren, nor unfruitful in the 
saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

For that protection which thou hast afforded us dur- 
ing the past night, and that refreshing sleep which our 
bodies have enjoyed, we desire, O God, to be more and 
more thankful. To thy care and keeping we again 
commit ourselves this day. Compass us about with 
thy favour as with a shield. 

If consistent with thy will, prosper us in all our law- 
ful employments, and give us comfort in all our world- 
ly enjoyments. The same blessings we would ask in 
behalf of our relations, our friends, our benefactors and 
well-wishers. Our enemies, Father, forgive them, and 
enable us to do the same. 

M 2 



138 THIRD WEEK. 

Lord, plead thine own cause in the world. Let igno- 
rance, idolatry, superstition, and wickedness come to 
an end. Erect the throne of thy Son's dominion upon 
the ruins of Satan's kingdom. Let the happy time be 
approaching when there shall be universal peace on 
earth, and good-will amongst all mankind. Lord, con- 
tinue kind to our native country. Provide for us, O 
God, rulers and magistrates, such as are able men, who 
fear thee, and hate covetousness. Prosper, O God, the 
means of instruction provided for our youth, and let 
the hoary heads be found in the way of righteousness; 
that they may look backward with satisfaction, and for- 
ward with hope. Pity the sick and afflicted; spare 
young and useful lives; and prepare us all for death 
and judgment. Now, blessed be God for all his gifts, 
both of nature and of grace! And to the Three that 
bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and Holy 
Spirit, be ascribed ail honour and glory. Amen. 



WEDNESDAY EVENING. Smith. 

Glorious Jehovah! by which name thou didst de- 
sire to be known by thy people of old, O take us (like 
them) into covenant with thee, and draw near in mercy 
to hear and help us. We would ever consider it as our 
highest honour, and greatest privilege, to call upon 
God by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving. 

We adore thee as the alone true object of all spiritual 
worship. Though there be that are called gods, whether 
in heaven or on earth, (as there be gods many, and lords 
many,) to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom 
are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, 
by whom are all things, and we by him; and one Spirit, 
the Eternal Spirit, who searcheth all things, yea, the 
deep things of God by whom, through Jesus Christ 
alone, we have access unto the Father. In this new and 
living way may we be permitted to approach, at this 
time, to offer up our evening sacrifices. 

And we would say, Blessed be the name of the Lord, 
from this time forth, and for evermore: from the rising 
of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord's 
name be praised; for the Lord is high above all na- 



THIRD WEEK. 139 

tions, and his glory above the heavens. There is none 
like unto thee: rich in mercy, glorious in holiness, fear- 
ful in praises, ever doing wonders. But we would more 
especially praise thee this night for the unmerited, yet 
still continued, communications of thy goodness and 
grace to us. 

We would more particularly thank and praise thy 
name for what we have experienced of it during the 
past day. Thou hast protected our going out and our 
coming in. The Lord is our Keeper; he hath been as 
a shade upon our right hand, and preserved us from all 
evil. 

We would be thankful, O God, unto thee for these 
temporal blessings; and pray earnestly that they may 
produce in our souls humility, gratitude, and love. But 
let us not be over anxious about any worldly enjoyments 
or advantages. We would be convinced that all things 
here are unsatisfactory, or fleeting in their nature. 

Blessed Saviour, impress thine own injunction upon 
our minds — Labour not for the meat which perisheth, 
but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, 
and which the Son of man shall give to all that come 
unto him. 

Help us each to say with the apostle: "We are crucified 
with Christ, nevertheless we live ; yet not we, but Christ 
liveth in us: and the life that we now live in the flesh, 
we live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us, 
and gave himself for us, that we should no longer live 
the rest of our time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but 
to the will of God." 

Thus living and walking no longer according to our 
old natural state, but according to the new one which 
we receive by faith, and the principles and means of 
practice, properly belonging thereunto, may we now 
strive to continue and increase in all Christian duties 
and graces. May we continue to love God in Christ as 
our supreme good. We pray for that fear of the Lord 
which is the beginning of wisdom, and by which every 
wise man departeth from evil. We would submit our- 
selves to him, saying, upon all proper occasions, the 
will of the Lord be done. May God, of his infinite 
mercy, grant that we may continue in the faith, ground- 
ed and settled, and that we be not moved away from 



140 THIRD WEEK. 

the hope of the gospel. Let our love to mankind be 
without dissimulation, and may we be kindly affectioned 
one to another, with brotherly love. Instead of stirring 
up strife, by giving way to anger at any time, and using 
grievous words, help us, O Lord, by a soft answer to 
turn away wrath. 

Lord, enable us daily to do good, that we may be rich 
in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communi- 
cate; laying up in store for ourselves a good foundation 
against the time to come. But, at the same time, 
keep us humble, O God, and let us never be desirous of 
vain glory. 

May we be temperate in all things,* and as we would 
ascend at last into the hill of the Lord, and stand ac- 
cepted in his holy place. 

To this end, bless us, O God, with a pure heart, and 
with clean hands, and may we every day be growing 
wiser and better. We would thank the Lord, who hath 
preserved us this day from all evil. 

Help us to know the measure of our days, and to keep 
in constant remembrance how frail we are, our wasting 
frames requiring a fresh supply of spirits and strength, 
by means of rest and repose through the night. 

May we be secure during the night, and take our 
rest in safety; and let the same privileges be conferred 
upon all our brethren, and kindred according to the 
flesh; that we may all have the blessedness of those 
who make the Lord their trust. 

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly 
above all that we ask, or think, according to the power 
that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church, by 
Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end. 
Amen. 



THURSDAY MORNING. Smith. 

Thou hast sworn by thyself, O Lord ! the word is 
gone out of thy mouth in righteousness, and shall not 
return, that unto thee " every knee shall bow, and every 
tongue confess." We would therefore, seek unto God 
betimes, and make our supplications unto the Almighty; 
preserving ever at the same time upon our spirits that 



THIRD WEEK. 141 

important consideration, — though the Lord's throne be 
in heaven, and he dwell by his special presence in his 
holy temple there, yet his eyes for ever behold, and his 
eyelids try the children of men. Neither is there any 
creature that is not manifest in his sight, but all things 
are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom 
we have to do. 

Well may we, indeed, say, " O Lord, thou hast search- 
ed us and known us. Thou knowest our down-sitting 
and our up-rising: thou understandest our thoughts 
afar off. Thou compassest our path, and our lying 
down, and art acquainted with all our ways; for there 
is not a word in our tongue, but lo! O Lord, thou 
knowest it altogether. Such knowledge is too wonder- 
ful for us; it is high, we cannot attain unto it. Oh 
the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and know- 
ledge of God!" 

j When we consider all this, " What is man, that thou 

art mindful of him; and the sons and daughters of 

j men, that thou thus visitest them? 5 * In us, that is, in 

, our flesh, dwelleth no good thing: we are all as an un- 

1 clean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags. 

1 If thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who 

, shall stand. In thy sight shall no man living be justi- 

[fied. And in this guilty and sinful state to which we 

.have reduced ourselves, what can we do but fall down 

an humble adoration at the throne of thy grace, that 

according to the multitude of thy tender compassions, 

thy merited wrath and indignation may be turned away 

,,from us? 

, When we consider what we have merited, we trem- 
ble, and are afraid; but when we consider what thy Son 
has done and suffered for sinners, our broken hearts 
and contrite spirits revive. Remember in mercy, O 
God, that he hath satisfied thy justice for us; and not- 
withstanding we may have been the very chief of sin- 
ners, we would through him look for pardon, accept- 
ance, and every spiritual blessing. 

i O thou that bindest up the broken in heart, and heal- 
est the wounded in conscience, say unto our souls, " Go 
[in peace, thy faith hath made thee whole." Set us as a 
;seal upon thine arm, and may we be as one who hath 
j found favour in thine eyes. And knowing, O God, 



142 THIRD WEEK. 

that every one who hath this hope in him purifieth him- 
self, even as thou art pure, may we be anxious to follow 
after righteousness and godliness, and to be walking in 
all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blame- 
less. We will serve the Lord with fear, and let our 
hearts stand in awe of his word. We will love the Lord 
our God with all our heart, and with all our mind; and 
our neighbour as ourselves, for his sake. We bless 
God, who hath kept and preserved us during the past 
night, and safely and happily conducted us to the com- 
mencement of a new day. If consistent with thy sove- 
reign will, continue thy guardianship and paternal good- 
ness throughout its fleeting course. 

Lord, we wonld renew this morning the consecration 
of our bodies, our souls, our life, our labour, all that is 
in us, and all that belongs to us. We desire to be more 
and more engaged in studying thy will, in promoting 
thy glory, doing good to our fellow creatures, and 
working out with fear and trembling our own salvation. 
O God! all good! accept of this sincere and renewed 
sacrifice; let it ascend, through thy forbearance, to a 
throne of grace, and may it be accompanied with the 
merits of that sacrifice which thy dear Son offered up 
for our pardon and reconciliation. 

Grant, O God, that we may henceforth detach our 
affections more and more from the things of time, and 
whilst we are daily labouring for the meat which pe- 
risheth, may we be truly mindful of that which endur- 
eth unto everlasting life. 

May we never forget that we have precious and im- 
mortal souls, which demand our first and chief atten- 
tion; and that the gain of the whole world will profit 
us nothing, if, in too anxiously caring about this, we 
should lose our souls. 

And, O Lord, whilst we are anxious about the salva- 
tion of our own souls, we would not be unmindful of the 
eternal interests of all our fellow-creatures. We ear- 
nestly pray for the fulfilment of thine ancient promise, 
which saith, " As the earth bringeth forth her bud, and 
as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to 
spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness 
and praise to spring forth before all nations." Let the 
number of thy spiritual children be as the sand of the 



THIRD WEEK. 143 

sea, which cannot be measured, or numbered; and let 
it come to pass, that in the place where it was said 
unto them, " Ye are not my people," there it shall be 
said, " Ye are the sons and daughters of the living 
God." 

O let thy sun still rise upon the just and the unjust 
among us, and fulfil thy general promise, giving us rain 
in due season, that our land may yield her increase, 
and the trees of the field their fruit. O God, for the 
sake of thy chosen people, overlook the infidelity and 
profligacy of thousands around us. Hear the prayers 
of thy servants for a general reformation. O that we 
might be a holy, and then we shall be a happy people. 
Continue, O God, to be the guide, the protector, and 
the portion of all in this family; and, if consistent with 
the great designs of thy providence, let goodness and 
mercy follow us all the days of our lives. Hear us, O 
[God, from thy dwelling place, and send us an answer 
of peace for his sake who alone is worthy, with the 
|Father, and blessed Spirit, to receive endless praises. 
\Amen. 



THURSDAY EVENING. Smith. 

We would, this evening, lift up our voice unto God 
most high, unto God who doeth all things for us. 

Having obtained help of God, we have continued until 
this day, monuments of his sparing mercy. Thou art 
God, and not man, and therefore it is that we have 
not long ere now been cut off from the land of the 
iliving. 

: We would have these words deeply impressed on our 
minds: " It is the will of God, in Christ Jesus, concern- 
•ing us, that in every thing we give thanks; for the Lord 
:hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad; and 
il-gvery creature of God is good, if it be received with 
( thanksgiving." Let us, therefore, whether we eat or 
Idrink, or whatsoever we do, give thanks unto God al- 
ways, and for all things, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. In God we live and move. We are the monu- 
ments of his wisdom, power, and goodness. 
From our youth upward, we have had food to eat and 



144 THIRD WEEK. 

raiment given us to put on, with a quiet and peaceable 
habitation to dwell in; a lodging-place where we have 
taken our rest in safety: yea, both lain down, and risen 
up, from month to month, and from year to year with- 
out any daring to make us afraid. But what is all this, 
O God, to thy spiritual blessings ? It is our privilege, 
and happiness, that we can now say, " God hath visited 
and redeemed his people, as he spake by the mouth of 
all his holy prophets which have been since the world 
began; and hath performed the mercy promised to our 
fathers, and remembered his holy covenant, even that 
covenant which thou wast pleased to make with thy 
servants, Abraham and Isaac, that in their seed should 
all the nations of the earth be blessed." 

Forbid, O God, that any of us should be among that 
unhappy number, who despise or abuse the riches of thy 
goodness, and forbearance, and long suffering patience, 
not knowing that this should lead us to immediate re- 
pentance. For we know not what another night may 
bring forth; and " what shall it profit us if we gain the 
world, and lose our own souls?" Merciful and gracious 
God, deliver us from a hard and impenitent heart, lest 
we should treasure up unto ourselves wrath against the 
day of wrath, and revelation of thy righteous judgment. 

O that we may say, with an inspired apostle, " We 
know whom we have believed, and we are persuaded 
that he will keep that which we have committed unto 
him (our precious and immortal souls) safe and secure 
until that day." O that we could say, " We love God, 
because he first loved us," and that we have known and 
believed the love which God hath for us; and therefore 
the desire of our soul is to his name, and toward the re- 
membrance of his holiness. 

O that we may delight ourselves more in God, and 
that our hearts might become the dwelling-place of the 
Holy Spirit. We would be washed and sanctified, as 
well as justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by 
the Spirit of our God. 

If thou wilt, O God, that we live to-morrow, may it 
be to begin a new life; a life more conformable to our 
professions and privileges: a life which shall turn out 
more to the advancement of God's glory, the edification 



THIRD WEEK. 145 

of our fellow-creatures, and the eternal safety and hap- 
piness of our own souls. 

But if it should please thee to terminate our course 
during the night, may our souls find pardon and accept- 
ance with thee; and, disengaged from this prison of 
clay, take their flight to the regions of glory, where 
they shall behold thy face in righteousness, and be for- 
ever satisfied with thy glorious resemblance. 

We would remember with affection, and in a way of 
prayer, all who are near and dear to us. The Lord be 
their shepherd, that they may never want: not want 
what may be requisite for the support and safety of 
their bodies; but more especially we pray, that our God 
may supply all their spiritual needs, according to his 
riches in glory, by Christ Jesus. Again we commit 
this house, with every inhabitant therein, young, and 
old, and of middle age, to the Keeper of Israel, who 
never slumbereth nor sleepeth, that he may watch over 
our lying down and rising up, and preserve us from all 
evil. In this hope, we ascribe to the Father, to the Son, 
and to the blessed Spirit, honour and glory, world with- 
out end. Amen. 



FRIDAY MORNING. Smith. 

Behold us, O good and gracious God, at the foot- 
stool of thy throne this mornin.e. We come to present 
our humble, and sincere adorations to the Author of our 
life, and lengthener out of our days: for it is to thee 
that we are indebted for our preservation during the 
past night; and thou alone hast caused us to see the be- 
ginning of this day. Let thy gracious presence be with 
us during the course of it, and all the succeeding days 
and nights of our earthly pilgrimage. And to the end 
that thou mayest hear us, notwithstanding our unwor- 
thiness and sinfulness, look upon us, O God, in the face 
of thine Anointed; and cause us to be partakers of all 
the blessed fruits of his death and resurrection. We 
look to the unsearchable riches of Christ, that we may 
see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from 
the beginning of the world hath been hid in God; who 
not only created all things by Christ, but was in him 

N 



146 THIRD WEEK. 

reconciling the world unto himself; and hath now ex- 
alted him to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repent- 
ance unto his people, as well as the remission of all 
their sins. O that our bodies may henceforth be the 
temples of God, through the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, 
and uniting us to Jesus Christ by a true and living 
faith. We would count all things but loss, that we may 
win Christ, and be found in him, not having our own 
righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is 
through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is 
of God by faith; and that we may know him, and the 
power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his 
sufferings, and be made conformable unto his death; 
not as though we had already attained, either were al- 
ready perfect; but this one thing we desire to do — 
" forgetting those things which are behind, and reach- 
ing forth unto those things which are before, we would 
press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling 
of God, in Christ Jesus our Lord." Thou knowest, O 
God, and we would at the same time acknowledge and 
confess, the weakness and corruption of our nature, and 
to how many dangers and temptations we are continu- 
ally exposed. Lord, give us thy strength, and thy 
grace, to preserve and keep us at all times. Let neither 
the world nor the flesh this day seduce us from the 
paths of duty; but, ever thinking and acting as under 
God's more immediate inspection, may we keep in the 
love and fear of all God's holy commandments. Teach 
us in every circumstance, O God, to know thy will, and 
give us inclination and ability to do it. Continue of 
thy bounty to provide for all our necessities; and sup- 
port and comfort us under every disappointment and 
trial which thou mayest see proper to bring upon us. 

May we live in thy fear, that we may die in thy fa- 
vour, and so be made both happy and glorious through 
eternity. 

For thy distinguishing, although unmerited goodness 
and mercy towards us, and all who are near and dear 
to us, we once more offer up our united thanksgivings; 
saying at the same time, Let every creature that is in 
heaven, and on the earth, give glory to God for ever and 
ever. And now Lord, what wait we for? our hope is 



THIRD WEEK. 147 

in thee. Let the words of our mouths, and the medita- 
tions of our hearts, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, 
our strength and our Redeemer. Amen. 



FRIDAY EVENING. Smith. 

O Lord, our God, with humble gratitude we would 
appear in thy presence this evening, to bless thy name 
for our preservation hitherto; and more especially for 
the renewed tokens of thy kindness and love during the 
past day. 

We pray that our humble and sincere thanks to God 
for all his mercies may ascend now as incense, and the 
lifting up of our hands be as acceptable as the evening 
sacrifices of old. When we recollect the mercies of the 
past day, O God, and thy goodness toward us ever 
since we had a being, our souls should be overwhelmed 
with wonder, love, and gratitude; but ah, how cold and 
insensible! and what poor returns of love do we make! 
O Lord, forgive the past, and make us more grateful to 
thee in future. We have not rendered unto the Lord 
according to the benefits done unto us; and if thou, 
Lord, shouldst be strict to mark our deficiencies, alas! 
where would be our hope? What, indeed, would our 
situation be, wert thou not a God of infinite mercy, and 
were not severity and judgment thy strange work. 

Yet thy mercy, O Lord, is everlasting, and thy com- 
passions fail not. Thou hast said, " As I live, I have 
no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the 
wicked turn from his way and live." And again: 
il Come now, and let us reason together: though your 
sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though 
they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Who 
then is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, 
and passeth by the transgressions of thy people; who 
retainest not thine anger because thou delightest in 
mercy? For the display of this attribute, and that a 
solid foundation might be laid for our hope, thou didst 
not spare thine only begotten Son, but sent him in due 
time, to suffer and die in the room of sinners. It is a 
faithful saying, and not only worthy of all acceptation, 
but of our highest and daily praise, that " God was in 



148 THIRD WEEK. 

Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing 
their trespasses unto them;" and hath committed to 
his servants, in every age, the word of reconciliation. 
Forbid it, then, O heavenly Father! that any of us here 
present, should be amongst that unhappy number to 
whom thy Son shall at last say, " Ye would not come 
unto me, that ye might have life." But deeply sensi- 
ble of our present sinful and miserable state, convinced 
that there is no other name under heaven by which we 
can be saved, and divinely persuaded of the willingness, 
as well as all-sufficiency of the Son of God, for this pur- 
pose, may we each, in due time, believe to the saving of 
the soul. 

Through him alone w r e look for pardon, for justifica- 
tion, for adoption into the family of heaven, and for a 
renovation of all the powers and faculties of our mind 
and soul, to enlighten and fit us for a holy practice. 

We know from past experience that we are not suf- 
ficient of ourselves, either to will or to do; but thy grace 
is sufficient for us, and thy strength can be perfected in 
our weakness. We pray that the law of the Spirit of 
life which is in Christ, may make us free from the law 
of sin and death. We shall, then, O God, enjoy com- 
fort through life, peace at death, and glory in heaven. 

This night would we again commend ourselves, and 
all that is near and dear to us, unto thy fatherly care 
and special protection. Preserve us from every danger, 
and let us never be separated from thy love in Christ 
Jesus. Grant, O God, the pardon of all the sins which 
we have committed during the past day; as well those 
that lie heavy upon our consciences, as those which 
through infirmity we have forgotten. 

Give thine angels charge, O God, in a particular 
manner, with respect to this family, that heads, and do- 
mestics, and children belonging to it, may all be pre- 
served from the malice and power of the prince of dark- 
ness. Should our souls be required at our hands this 
night, may we be ready to resign them into the arms of 
a covenant God in Christ: but should our life be spared, 
may we more cheerfully and entirely dedicate it to Him 
unto whom it best belongs, and who alone can make us 
happy here and hereafter. Now unto the King eternal, 



"third week. 149 

immortal, and invisible, the only wise God, be honour, 
and glory: for of him, and through him, and to him, 
are all things. Amen, 



SATURDAY MORNING. Smith. 

Lord God Almighty! which was, and is, and art to 
come: with thee is the fountain of life, and thou art the 
Author of every good and perfect gift. We would, 
therefore, give unto the Lord the glory and thanks- 
giving which is due unto his name, and worship him 
this morning in the beauty of holiness. But how shall 
we, whose thoughts are vanity, and whose hands and 
hearts are so impure, presume to address the sacred 
Majesty of heaven and earth? We take encourage- 
ment only, O God, from thy perfections, and from the 
gracious declarations of thy revealed will. " Thou art 
infinitely wise, and holy, and just, and good; but thou 
hast magnified thy mercy above thy great name." 
Blessed, for ever blessed, be the God and Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, who sent not his Son into the world 
to condemn the world, but that the world through him 
might be saved. O God, for Christ's sake, forgive us 
all our sins; and according to the good pleasure of thy 
will, and to the praise of the glory of thy grace, may 
we be accepted in the Beloved. We would be justified 
by faith alone, and thus have peace with God through 
our Lord Jesus Christ; for we believe that he is the 
end of the law for righteousness to every one that be- 
lieveth. And may this faith, O God, not be of a dead 
and barren nature, but may it work by love, and purify 
our hearts. 

O God, thy word is truth; sanctify us through belief 
of the truth. According to thine o"wn promise, give 
unto each of us a new spirit, and take away the stony 
heart out of our flesh, that we may walk in thy statutes, 
and keep thine ordinances, and do them. Thus may 
we hope that we shall be thy people, and that thou wilt 
continue to be our God, and portion, in time and 
through eternity. 

Accept of our thanks, O God, for all that mercy and 
goodness which hath followed us through every period 
n 2 



150 THIRD WEEK. 

of our past life; for sparing us under the weakness and 
diseases of childhood; conducting our steps through 
the slippery paths of youth; and preserving us still 
amidst the no less surrounding dangers of riper years. 

We thank thee for the food we have to eat, the rai- 
ment wherewith we are clothed, for the comfortable 
habitations we have to dwell in, and the many conve- 
niences and privileges that we enjoy above numbers 
around us, and in other parts of this habitable world. 

We thank thee, O God, for another night's comfort- 
able rest. We have laid us down and slept in peaceful 
security. Thou hast caused the out-goings of another 
morning to rejoice over us. We are brought in safety 
and health to the light and enjoyments of another day. 
Defend and keep us in the same, O God, from all harm, 
whether of a temporal or spiritual nature. Prosper us 
in all our lawful undertakings this day; and give us 
humble and thankful hearts to enjoy the good things 
which thou hast provided for us. 

Provide, O God, in thy mercy and goodness, for the 
wants of the poor and needy. Thou hast promised to 
regard the prayer of the destitute. Help them to wait 
upon thee in the use of every lawful mean, and then to 
see that their expectation shall not perish. O thou 
who art in thy holy habitation a Father to the father- 
less, and the Judge of the widow, according to thy 
word, help and relieve all those who commit them- 
selves unto thee. 

Lord, be merciful to the sick and afflicted part of 
mankind. Spare young and useful lives; and prepare 
the dying for their last change. It is said in thy word, 
" The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken 
heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." 
Lord, fulfil this promise in respect unto all such as may 
be distressed in mind. May it please thee to have 
compassion according to the multitude of thy tender 
mercies. And wilt thou be pleased to sanctify bereav- 
ing dispensations to all concerned. May neither we, 
nor ours, sorrow as those who have no hope: but ever 
remembering that as Jesus Christ himself died and 
rose again from the dead, so them that sleep in Jesus 
will God bring with him: may we comfort ourselves, 
and one another, withs these words. As those who are 



THIRD WEEK. 151 

near and dear to us are daily dropping off the stage of 
life, may we love heaven better, and strive to have 
clearer views of our interest in gospel privileges and 
hopes. To us to live, and, while we live, may it indeed 
be Christ, and then to die will be everlasting gain. 
And now, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servants, 
and their supplications. O Lord, hear; O Lord, for- 
give; O Lord, hearken, and do, and defer not, for thine 
own name's sake and for thy Son's sake; who, with the 
Holy Spirit, are worthy to receive all honour and glory, 
world without end. Amen. 



SATURDAY EVENING. Smith. 

Lord God of Israel, according to thy promise in these 
latter days, pour out thy Spirit upon all thy servants 
here present; even the spirit of wisdom and of truth. 
Let him teach us all things, and bring all things to our 
remembrance whatsoever we should say unto thee, and 
then give ear to our prayer, O God, and hide not thy- 
self from our supplications: but hearken thou, and hear 
in heaven thy dwelling place, and when thou nearest, 
forgive, and accept of our persons, and this our evening 
sacrifice. We would review, and acknowledge all thy 
merciful dealings towards us this week. Six days more 
thou hast added to our lives, and every morning we 
have experienced thy loving kindness; and every even- 
ing have had reason to celebrate thy faithfulness. 
Whilst many have been exposed to hunger and cold, 
we have been fed and clothed by thy bounty. Multi- 
tudes in the world have this week been suddenly called 
from time to eternity; but God is still holding our soul 
in life. Night after night we have laid ourselves down 
to sleep, and we have awaked in the morning, for the 
Lord sustained us; yea, we have lain down in peace, 
and our sleep hath been sweet. For all this we would 
be thankful to thee, O Lord, who makest us to dwell in 
safety, and whose visitation alone preserveth our spirit. 
But we would be chiefly thankful for the continuance 
of our spiritual privileges and comforts, 

Blessed be God, that our land is still the land of 
gospel light and liberty; and that we can worship thee 



152 THIRD WEEK. 

both in private and public, without any one daring to 
disturb us. God grant that we may never undervalue 
or abuse these privileges; as knowing that our guilt 
and condemnation will then be severer in the day of 
judgment. 

VVe would be more and more thankful for the means 
of grace, and all the ordinances of divine appointment. 
May the daily reading of thy word increase our spiri- 
tual knowledge, confirm our faith, and animate our 
hopes. Let our morning and evening sacrifices keep 
us in a holy and watchful frame through the day, and 
dispose us to resign ourselves to thy gracious keeping 
during the night. 

And O may the return of every Sabbath be looked 
forward to with increasing delight! Lord, make us 
thankful for the near approach of another Lord's day 
Sabbath. 

Shouldst thou see meet in thy goodness, and by thine 
all-protecting Providence, to spare us to see the light 
of another morning, may we all be in the Spirit upon 
the Lord's day, and worship God, who is a Spirit, in 
spirit and in truth. We would not forsake the assem- 
bling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is. 
May we love the habitation of thy house, and the place 
where thine honour dwelleth; thither would our will- 
ing feet repair, that we may publish, with the voice of 
thanksgiving, God's manifold mercies, and tell of all 
his wondrous works. Lord, bless the studies and pre- 
paration of thy ministering servants; may they be as 
scribes who are well instructed unto the kingdom of 
Heaven, and bring forth, out of their treasures, things 
new and old. May they convince and convert sinners, 
and build up, and comfort the saints. 

Pelrmit us once more to commit, to thy care and 
keeping, our absent relatives and friends. Although at 
a distance from us, may they be nigh unto the Lord our 
God day and night, that he may maintain their cause 
at all times, as the matter shall require. 

Lord, be merciful to the sick and afflicted part of 
mankind. Whatever be the cause, or the event of 
their present visitation, may they have reason to say 
with thy servant of old, " It is good for us that we 



fourth week. 153 

have been afflicted; for thereby Jiave we learned thy 
statutes." 

Merciful and gracious God, lay not upon such more 
than thou wilt enable them to bear; and soon, if it be 
thy holy will, let the language of the Psalmist be theirs 
— " Return unto thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath 
dealt bountifully with thee." 

For the world in general we would once more entreat 
at a throne of grace. Look down from heaven, O 
God, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness 
and glory, a world lying in ignorance and wickedness. 
God be merciful to us, and bless us, and cause thy face 
to shine upon us, that thy way may be known upon 
earth, and thy saving health among all nations. Bless- 
ed Jesus, thou hast expressly declared that thy gospel 
shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto 
all nations. We long for that happy time when the 
Jews shall be brought in with the fulness of the Gen- 
tiles. Then should we behold mercy and truth meet 
together, righteousness and peace mutually embrace. 
Nation shall not then lift up sword against nation, nei- 
ther shall they learn war any more. Lord, although 
not permitted to see these happy times, may we now 
rejoice in the prospect, and at last die in the comforta- 
ble hope of their arrival. This night we would again 
commit ourselves, and all our concerns, to God's pater- 
nal care and keeping, in the hope of being raised up 
in the morning to see and enjoy another day of the Son 
of man. — For his sake, we ask every blessing. — And 
to him, with thee, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, be 
all glory, and praise, and humble worship, for ever. 
Amen. 



FOURTH WEEK. 



SABBATH MORNING. Bkkersteth. 

O Almighty God, Creator, Governor, and Upholder 
of all things, who, after making the heaven and earth, 
didst rest on the seventh day, and bless and sanctify it, 



154 FOURTH WEEK. 

teach us now, resting from our worldly labours, to devote 
the day to thy service. O thou, whose Son did, as on this 
day, rise again from the dead, grant us grace to rise 
from the death of sin to the life of righteousness. Help 
us now, in his name, to seek thy blessing on those holy 
duties to which the Sabbath is set apart. 

We bless and praise thee for the appointment of this 
day, and for all the means of grace which we enjoy in 
this highly favoured land. We bless thee that thy house 
is open, that thy ministers have liberty to preach, and 
we have opportunity, and inclination to assemble with 
thy people and hear thy holy word. 

Above all, we thank thee for the knowledge of Jesus 
Christ; for free justification and salvation through his 
life, death, and resurrection. We praise thee for the 
gift of thy Holy Spirit. Blessed, for ever blessed, be 
thou, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for 
all these thy benefits. 

Great have been thy mercies to us; but with shame 
we confess that we have slighted thy goodness, and 
carelessly regarded thy great salvation. How many 
Sabbaths have we broken; how many invitations of 
mercy have we neglected; how many warnings and 
threatenings have we trifled with! How cold have 
been our prayers; how great our irreverence; how in- 
excusable our unbelief! 

Forgive us, O forgive us, all our negligences, and in- 
firmities, and all our sins and iniquities. To the Lord 
our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we 
have rebelled against him. Return again and bless us. 
Graciously be present with us, through all the solemn 
services of this day. Enable us to go to thy house in 
the spirit of prayer. Pour out upon us, and all that shall 
meet in thy name, the spirit of grace and supplication. 
Let none of us draw near to thee with our lips only, 
while our hearts are far from thee; but enable us to 
worship thee in spirit and in truth. Cause thy face to 
shine upon us. Grant that we may find that the Lord 
is in his holy temple, and be able to say, It was good for 
us to have been there! Prepare our hearts to receive 
thy holy word, that it maybe sown in good ground, and 
bring much fruit to perfection. 

Bless especially all such as hope this day again to re- 



FOURTH WEEK. 155 

ceive the memorials of our Saviour's sufferings and 
death. May contrition, penitence, faith, humility, and 
love, be in lively exercise, and be greatly increased. 

Help all of us, not only to abstain from engaging in 
our usual business and occupation, but also keep us from 
worldly conversation, and from vain thoughts. Raise 
our affections to things above, and let our conversation 
be in heaven. Enable us to give this day to reading and 
hearing thy word, to meditation, self-examination, and 
prayer; and be thou with us to bless us in our retired 
devotions. 

• And, Father of mercies, we beseech thee to bless all 
that minister in holy things. Multiply unto them thy 
grace, that they may be faithful, diligent, and laborious. 
Grant them humility, disinterestedness, watchfulness, 
and zeal ; may all have grace to take heed to themselves, 
and to the flock over which the Holy Ghost has made 
them overseers, feeding the church of God which he 
has purchased with his own blood. Stand by and 
strengthen them this day. Open thou their mouths, 
and enable them to testify boldly the gospel of the grace 
of God. We especially pray for him who ministers 
among us. May he this day be enabled to speak a 
word in season to us, and to all that hear him. 

And, we beseech thee, grant that this thy Sabbath 
may be distinguished by great and singular mercies to 
thy church. Be thou with all Christian congregations 
meeting to worship thee. By the ministry of thy word 
this day, convert many sinners ; heal those that have 
backslidden, strengthen those that are weak, and con- 
firm those that are strong. Give thy holy word free 
course, and let it be glorified in every land, and among 
every people. Hear us, and answer us, for our Lord 
Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 

Our Father, 8cc. 



SABBATH EVENING. Bickersteth. 

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, 
and is, and art to come! Thou art of purer eyes than 
to behold iniquity; thou chargest thine angels with 
folly, and in thy sight the heavens are not clean; 



156 FOURTH WEEK. 

we approach thee, then, only in the name of Jesus 
Christ. 

We confess, O Lord, how defective and denied all our 
services are. We acknowledge that our prayers are 
full of distractions. Our very petitions need thy par- 
don, our cold intercessions for others increase our own 
guilt, and our unworthy thangsgivings fall utterly short 
of thy great goodness to us. We carelessly and unbe- 
lievingly hear thy word. All we do is polluted and sin- 
ful. O forgive us. Forgive the sins of solemn duties; 
and let that great High Priest, who is passed into the 
heavens, bearing the iniquities of our holy things, plead 
for us in thy sight. 

And grant, most merciful Lord, that it may not 
be in vain that we enjoy such distinguished privileges 
as thou hast given to us, lest it be more tolerable for 
Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for 
us. Let not the seed of the word of God which has 
this day been sown in our hearts, be plucked away by 
Satan, lost through temptation, or choked with the cares 
of this life; but having heard it and received it, incline 
us to keep it, and do thou cause it to bring forth fruit, 
an hundred fold. 

Grant that our lives may exhibit whose we are, and 
whom we serve: remembering that if we know our 
Lord's will, and do it not, we shall justly have the se- 
verer punishment. We humbly beseech thee, strengthen 
our resolutions to live more decidedly to thee. We feel 
that we now have again to enter into the contest with 
our spiritual enemies; make us more than conquerors 
through him that loved us. We have again to exert 
ourselves to run the race set before us; teach us ever to 
look unto Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith. 
O let us take the more earnest heed never to let slip the 
things which we have heard. 

And we pray for all those who have this day assem- 
bled before thee, and heard the word of salvation. 
Grant unto them the same mercies which we ask for 
ourselves. Let thy ministers, that water others, be 
themselves abundantly watered in their own soul. 
Strengthen them for thy work, both in body and soul. 

Remember, in mercy those who by thy providence 
have been kept from thy house, and let them receive a 



FOURTH WEEK. 157 

special supply of thy grace. Grant that those who 
have wilfully or ignorantly deprived themselves of pub- 
lic worship, may have their eyes opened to see, and 
their hearts awakened to feel, their guilt and their dan- 
ger, and learn to flee from the wrath to come. O hasten 
the time when thy house shall be a house of prayer for 
all nations, and the whole world shall worship in thy 
courts. 

Thanks be unto God for all the privileges of the past 
Sabbath. Blessed be thy name that we were permit- 
ted to hear thy word, to join thy people in prayer and 
praise, and to enjoy so plentifully the means of grace. 
Blessed be our God for any thing of communion with 
him, or desire after him. Blessed be God, if the grace 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, or his holy word, be more un- 
derstood or valued by us. Our cup runneth over with 
mercies. 

O Lord, if, amid our infirmities, thy Sabbaths here 
below rejoice the heart; if to rest from earthly labours, 
and enjoy the privileges of thy house in this world be 
delightful; how should we thank thee for the prospect 
of an eternal Sabbath, where thy servants shall serve 
thee without one wandering thought, without weari- 
ness, and without distraction! O grant, in mercy gra.nt, 
that none of those who have this day met together in 
thy house, may be wanting in the number of those 
who shall dwell in that house not made with hands, 
eternal in the heavens, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 

Our Father, &c. 



MONDAY MORNING. Bickersteth. 

Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 
who hast said that thou wilt be the God of all the fami- 
lies of Israel, and they shall be thy people; dispose our 
hearts, by the gracious influence of thy Holy Spirit, to 
worship thee through one Mediator, Jesus Christ our 
Lord. 

Thou art God, and there is none beside thee: the 
Creator of heaven and earth, the Lord of glory, the 
Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering, abun- 



158 FOURTH WEEK. 

dant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thou- 
sands, forgiving iniquity, and transgressions, and sin, 
and that will by no means clear the guilty. We bow 
and worship at thy footstool^ we acknowledge thee to 
be the Lord. 

Accept, through thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, our 
unfeigned thanksgivings for the mercies of another day. 
Thou gavest us our being, and thou preservest us from 
day to day. Through the defenceless hours of the 
night thou hast kept us in safety. Thou hast given us 
a soul capable of knowing and rejoicing in thee, and a 
body by which we may serve thee. 

We bless thee for the seeing eye, and the hearing ear, 
for the free use of our limbs and our senses, for the 
power of the mind, and the affections of the heart. 

But, O Lord, we thank thee most of all for thy spi- 
ritual blessings. We bless thee that we were not born 
in heathen lands, but in this favoured country, where 
the light of thy truth clearly shines. We thank thee 
for the comfort of the Holy Scriptures, for the labours 
of faithful ministers, and for all the means of grace. O 
how great has been thy love to us! Thou sparedst not 
thine own Son, but deliveredst him up for us all, and 
with him thou hast freely given us all things. 

What reward shall we render unto the Lord for all 
his benefits? We desire now afresh to devote ourselves 
to thy service. We give up ourselves, our whole selves 
unto thee. God of peace, sanctify us wholly, God of 
our life, grant that our whole spirit, and soul, and body, 
may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our 
Lord Jesus Christ. 

But with shame and confusion of face, we would con- 
fess that we have been rebellious and disobedient. 
Thou art holy, but we are unholy. Thou art merciful, 
but we have often been selfish and unkind. Thou art 
pure but we are impure. Thou art patient, but we are 
impatient. We have abused all thy gifts, and made 
them occasions of sin. Lord, we acknowledge our im- 
penitence, we confess our unbelief, we bewail our self- 
righteousness. 

Forgive us all our offences, remember not against us 
our transgressions, but remember thy great and tender 
mercies which have been ever of old. Grant unto 



FOURTH WEEK. 159 

every one of us a saving interest in the death of Christ, 
full and free forgiveness of all our sins, and grace and 
strength to go and sin no more. Lord, help us to love 
thee, teach us to serve thee. Give us thy strength that 
we may overcome our corrupt nature. Grant that this 
day we may have power from on high to resist every 
temptation, to confess Christ before men, to labour 
steadfastly with a single eye to thy glory, to live in the 
spirit of prayer, in faith, humility, self-denial, and love, 
and to walk before thee in that narrow way which leads 
to eternal life. Fill us with love to others. Teach us 
to do good to all men, [and to seek according to our 
means to visit and relieve the fatherless and the widows 
in their affliction:] and do thou keep us unspotted from 
the world. 

Lord, for thy name's sake, hear us. We beseech thee, 
according to thy infinite mercy, give us grace to serve 
thee, constantly and unfeignedly. Herein art thou glo- 
rified, that we bear much fruit. For thine own glory, 
grant us thy Spirit, that we may bring forth all the 
fruits of righteousness. 

And hear us farther in behalf of our relations and 
friends, our neighbourhood, our minister, and all for 
whom we ought to pray. Help those that are weak. 
Comfort those that are cast down. Heal those that are 
sick. Relieve those that are in distress. Be merciful 
unto thy church. O bless us, and cause thy face to 
shine upon us, that thy way may be known upon earth, 
thy saving health among all nations. Bring the Gen- 
tiles to Christ. Gather thy people Israel into thy fold. 
Give wisdom and power to every effort of Christian 
love for spreading thy gospel. Bless all societies form- 
ed for this end, and let those who support and conduct 
them, have thy direction and guidance. Lord, grant 
that the power of the cross of Christ, may at length 
fully triumph over all error and superstition, all idola- 
try, and delusion, and sin. 

Gracious Lord, not for our worthiness, but for the 
only name's sake of Jesus Christ, hear these our prayers 
which we sum up in his own words. 

Our Father, &c, 



160 FOURTH WEEK. 

MONDAY EVENING. Bickersteth. 

O Eternal God, whose name is love, and so loved 
the world that thou gavest thine only-begotten Son, that 
whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have 
everlasting life, help us, by the Holy Spirit, to believe 
in Christ Jesus; and trusting in him to have access unto 
thee. 

We feel our need of a Saviour for sinners; for we all 
have sinned and come short of the glory of God. When 
we look back even on the past day, thy law accuses us 
of many sins, and our own consciences justly condemn 
us. We have been forgetful of thy presence; our con- 
versation has been light and trifling; and we have not 
with a single eye sought thy glory, or copied the holy 
life of our Saviour Christ. He left us a perfect exam- 
ple, but how seldom we tread in his steps: how little 
we have of his meekness and lowliness of heart, of his 
zeal and love! We have sinned, notwithstanding the 
light of thy word, and the checks of our own con- 
sciences. 

Grant us thy grace that we may not be hardened 
through the deceitfulness of sin. Give us true repent- 
ance, and such a sense of our sinfulness as may lead us 
to despair of salvation by any works of our own; and 
bring us humbled and penitent to the foot of the cross. 
Help us by faith to behold the Lamb of God which 
taketh away the sin of the world. Teach us to re- 
nounce our own righteousnesss, and to depend wholly 
on Jesus Christ: may we be able to say and feel, "In 
the Lord have I righteousness and strength." 

Teach us to come to Jesus Christ, and now to look 
to him, not only for pardon and peace, but also for 
grace and strength. We are weak, but Jesus is strong: 
grant that we may be made strong in and through him. 
Draw us to Christ, that we may receive out of his ful- 
ness all that we need, repentance, remission of sins, 
and the gift of thy Holy Spirit; that he may dwell in 
our hearts by faith, and we be rooted and grounded in 
love. 

We commend ourselves to thy care during the night. 
Let no evil come nigh us. May our last thoughts be 
with thee; and when we awake, may we be still with 



FOURTH WEEK. 161 

thee. Refresh our bodies with the quiet repose of the 
night, and renew our spiritual strength. Teach us ever 
to watch and pray, and to be always ready, seeing we 
know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of 
Man shall come. 

Extend thy merciful care to all that are near and dear 
to us. We pray for all our relatives. May those that 
are endeared to us by the ties of nature, be yet more 
dear by the stronger bonds of grace. Grant that we 
may be all one in Christ Jesus our Lord. We pray for 
our Christian friends, for our neighbours, and all with 
whom we have intercourse. 

Bless those that minister before the Lord. May they 
be faithful, wise, humble, and devoted servants of the 
Lord Jesus Christ. Every where raise up pastors ac- 
cording to thine heart, which shall feed thy people with 
knowledge and understanding. Grant thy blessing to 
every missionary now preaching Christ to the Gentiles. 
Cause Jew and Gentile, to turn to the Lord, that they 
may be saved. Bring on the happy day, when there 
shall be one fold and one Shepherd; and they shall not 
hurt, nor destroy in all thy holy mountain. 

O thou Giver of every good and perfect gift, we 
praise and bless thee for thy great and continued mer- 
cies to us. All things thou givest to us richly for en- 
joyment. We receive from thee full provision for all 
our temporal wants, and thou forgivest our iniquities. 

Like as a father pitieth his children, so thou our Lord 
and Father pitiest them that fear thee. Thou knowest 
our frame; Thou rememberest that we are dust. Thou 
hast had compassion on us in our low and lost estate, 
and thou gavest thy Son to die for us; and now thou 
offerest and givest us thy Holy Spirit, to soften our 
hard hearts and to help our infirmities. Thou justifiest 
us freely by thy grace, adoptest us into thy family, and 
givest us a hope full of glory. 

Behold what manner of love thou our Father hast 
bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of 
God! God of mercy, grant, only grant, that we maybe 
followers of thee as dear children, and show forth thy 
praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, through 
Jesus Christ. 

And now blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, 
o 2 



162 FOURTH WEEK. 

be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the 
Lamb, for ever and ever. Jimen. 

Our Father, &c. 

The Lord bless us, and keep us. 

The Lord make his face to shineupon us, and be gra- 
cious unto us. 

The Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give 
us peace. 



TUESDAY MORNING. Bickersteth. 

Almighty God, source of every good, and fountain of 
every blessing, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, and in him our God and Father, give us the 
Spirit of adoption, and enable us to cry, Abba, Father. 
Help us to come and pour out our hearts before thee 
■with the same confidence and affection with which chil- 
dren go to an earthly parent. Enable us to repose on 
thy love, to tell thee all our desires, and all our sorrows; 
and from the heart, to thank thee for all thy goodness 
to us. 

Great and abundant cause we have to bless our God 
for all that he is in himself, and for all that he is to us. 
Thy mercies are new every morning. We thank thee 
that we meet together in peace and safety. Thou hast 
been our defence and our refuge. Let then the out- 
goings of the morning and of the evening praise thee. 

We thank thee more especially for all the mercies of 
redemption. In the gospel of Christ, mercy and truth 
meet together, and righteousness and peace kiss each 
other. Thus can even we rejoice in thy power and jus- 
tice, thy holiness, mercy, and love; and bless thee that 
the light of the knowledge of this thy glory shines, in 
the hearts of thy people in the face of Jesus Christ. 
Blessed be thou the just God and the Saviour. 

O how unworthy we are of the least of thy mercies! 
We are all sinful and guilty. We have turned every 
one to his own way. We would give thee glory by an 
ingenuous and free confession that in many things we 
have all offended thee. From our youth up, even till 
now, we have been great sinners. 

We dare not justify ourselves in thy sight, for if we 



FOURTH WEEK. 163 

should attempt it, even our own mouths would condemn 
us. We have omitted to perform many plain duties. 
We have done many thingsjbr which our consciences 
justly accuse us. All our righteousnesses are denied. 
All our prayers and services are polluted. 

Yet spare us, good Lord, spare us, according to thy 
great compassion and thy tender mercy. Lord God 
of our salvation, it is thy gracious promise on which 
our souls rely, that if we confess our sins thou art faith- 
ful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us 
from all unrighteousness. We now confess our sins, 
and we ask that they may be forgiven, and that our souls 
may be purified from sin. We plead for thy mercy, for 
Jesus bore our sins in his own body on the tree. We 
plead thy faithfulness according to thy many precious 
promises. 

Cleanse, we beseech thee, the thoughts of our hearts, 
by the influence of thy Holy Spirit, that we may per- 
fectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy name. 
Strengthen us for the duties of this day. Suffer us not 
to be tempted above what we are able to bear; but with 
every temptation make a way to escape. Incline and 
enable us to walk in that way. 

Hold thou up our goings in thy paths that our foot- 
steps slip not. Set a watch before our mouths, and 
keep the door of our lips, that we offend not with our 
tongue. May we always speak that which is good to 
the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the 
hearers. Enable us also to keep our heart with all di- 
ligence, seeing that out of it are the issues of life. In- 
crease our faith, enliven our hope, and enlarge our cha- 
rity, that we may faithfully serve thee, and in all things 
glorify thy holy name. 

We pray for all our relatives and friends. Give them 
prosperity both of body and soul.f Grant that grace 

f When any member of the family is sick, add — 
We particularly commend unto thee that member of our family 
now in affliction; may faith, patience, submission, and resignation 
be granted in this hour of trial, and in thy own good time remove 
the affliction. And, Lord, grant that all our tribulations here below 
may lead us to look at the things which are above, and work out 
for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Ever 
give us a spirit of sympathy, and tender feeling, and love for 



164 FOURTH WEEK. 

and peace may be multiplied to all those that call on 
the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. 
Seek and save the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Let 
the light of life shine into every benighted heart. In- 
crease especially among the people of this nation, the 
number of those who know, and love, and serve thee. 
Bless our rulers, and guide our statesmen; teach thy 
ministers and prosper thy people, that there may be 
no complaining in our streets; and that it may be said 
of us, "Happy is the people that is in such a case; yea, 
happy is that people whose God is the Lord.'* 

These prayers we offer up in the name and through 
the mediation of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Our Father, &c. 



TUESDAY EVENING. Bickersteth. 

O Thou, who art the God of all the families of the 
earth, who didst favourably notice Abraham's com- 
manding his children and his household after him to 
keep the way of the Lord; be thou present with us now, 
and enable us by thy Holy Spirit, and through thy Son's 
intercession, to worship thee in spirit and in truth. 

We come before thee acknowledging that we were 
all born in sin, the children of wrath, and have in com- 
mon a corrupt nature and a continual propensity to de- 
part from thee. And O how often have we offended 
thee, the God of all the earth, by actual transgressions. 

Even in the day that is past, by vain thoughts, by idle 
words, by sinful indulgences, we have grieved thy Spi- 
rit, and we have incurred thy displeasure. Our only 
refuge is in thy promised mercy in Christ Jesus. We 
cast ourselves wholly on that mercy. Fixing all our 

each other ; and may we always be ready to weep with those that 
weep, and rejoice with those that rejoice. 

When any member of the family is on a journey, add — 
O Lord, we beseech thee, regard with thy favour, protect and 
defend him who is now absent from us. Take him under thy spe- 
cial care. Preserve him from every temptation. Prosper him in 
His undertakings. May he be a blessing every where he goes; and 
bring him in health and peace among us again, that we may to- 
gether have fresh cause to praise and bless thy holy name. 



FOURTH WEEK. 165 

hopes on our Saviour Jesus, we confess our guilt, and 
earnestly pray that his blood may cleanse us from all 
sin. 

And give us, we beseech thee, the comfortable as- 
surance that our sins are forgiven. Let thy Holy Spirit 
bear witness with our spirits that we are children of 
God. Plentifully impart to us the gift of thy Spirit, 
that we may bring forth love, joy, peace, gentleness, 
goodness, meekness, loRg-suffering, forbearance, and 
temperance. Grant that we may so copy the example 
of our Saviour, as to be the Epistles of Christ, known 
and read of all men; and have clear evidence of our 
own salvation. Teach us so to live, that we may glori- 
fy thee who hast bought us with a price of such amaz- 
ing value as the blood of thine own Son. 

O that all now kneeling together may indeed obtain 
mercy in Christ Jesus, may pass from death unto life, 
and love and serve thee unfeignedly. But, O Lord, 
how cold is our love to thee! how dead, how dull are 
our hearts! Help us to love thee; to love God with all 
our heart, with all our mind, with all our soul, and with 
all our strength. Shed abroad the love of God in our 
hearts, by giving us the Holy Ghost; and may we be 
taught of God to love one another. Be thou present 
with us in our more retired devotions; praying to our 
Father which is in secret in our closet, may we find his 
presence and blessing there. 

Bless, O Lord, all that are near and dear to us. Many 
beloved relatives and friends are now absent from us; 
but thou art with them, and all their wants are known 
to thee. Give them thy grace; ever guide them here 
by thy counsel, and may none of them be wanting in 
thy heavenly kingdom. 

We pray for all in authority; Lord, may their coun- 
sels be ordered by thee as may be most for the good of 
our country. 

Give, we beseech thee, to all ministers of Jesus Christ 
every where, true knowledge and understanding of thy 
word; and may they set it forth in their lives accord- 
ingly. Make them wise to win souls. Lord, call forth 
and send out many faithful labourers to the work of the 
ministry. May the distant isles wait on thee, and the 
Gentiles come to thy light. Bless every society esta- 



166 FOURTH WEEK. 

blished for benefiting the bodies or the souls of men, and 
especially those in which we are more immediately en- 
gaged and interested. 

Thanks be unto thee, Holy Lord God, for all thy 
goodness towards us. How multiplied are thy mercies 
every day! How excellent is thy loving kindness! We 
bless thee for all thy long suffering and forbearance to- 
wards us. We bless thee for the infinite mercies of re- 
deeming love. We bless thee for the knowledge of thy 
salvation, and for the light of thy truth; for protection 
from every danger during the night, and provision for 
all our wants by day. Thou hast spread our table with 
food, and thou givest us every needful good. Accept 
these our prayers and our praises, which we offer up 
in and through Jesus Christ, our only mediator and ad- 
vocate. Jlmen. 

Our Father, &c. 



WEDNESDAY MORNING. Bkkersteth. 

O Lord God Almighty, the Creator of heaven and 
earth, the Lord of Glory, who art greatly to be feared 
in the assembly of thy saints, and to be had in reverence 
of all them that are round about thee; who dwellest in 
heaven, surrounded with angels and archangels, with 
cherubim and seraphim, who veil their faces while they 
praise and worship; we bow down before thee in the 
name of Jesus Christ. None other name, but the name 
of Jesus; none other merits, but the merits of Jesus, 
would we plead in thy -sight: but by him, through one 
spirit, may we now have access with confidence to the 
throne of grace. 

O thou whose name is holy, who hast required that 
we confess our faults one to another; we would now 
confess our many and our great sins. We have often 
sinned against thee, and against each other, in thought, 
word, or deed. O forgive our hardness of heart, and 
our earthly mindedness; all our want of charity, all our 
hastiness of spirit, all our bad tempers, and every sinful 
action. 

For thine own name's sake blot out our transgres- 
sions, and remember not our sins. 

Lord of all grace, help us ever hereafter to walk wor- 



FOURTH WEEK. 167 

thy of the vocation wherewith we are called. May we, 
with all lowliness, and meekness, with long-suffering, 
forbearing one another in love, endeavour to keep the 
unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Give us grace 
so to live, that we may find more and more how good 
and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in 
unity. 

Give unto each of us grace to fulfil our duties toward 
each other. As parents, may we bring up our children 
in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and as chil- 
dren, obey our parents in all things. 

We ask for blessings on our native land. Lord, we 
would sigh before thee for all the abominations of our 
country. O how the swearer, the sabbath-breaker, the 
covetous, the licentious, and the blasphemer, abound on 
every side! Because of these things the wrath of God 
comes on the children of disobedience. Spare us, good 
Lord, spare us, for thy name's sake. Grant, we beseech 
thee, that as we have been peculiarly distinguished by 
thy mercies, so it may have to be said of us, " Surely 
this great nation is a wise and understanding people, 
for what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh 
unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we 
call upon him for." 

Pour out of thy spirit on all who have the direction 
of public affairs; on all who minister in holy things; 
on the magistrates, and on the people; that a general 
revival of religion may appear among us. Cause thy 
church every where to flourish and increase. We pray 
especially for an increase of the zeal, purity and love, 
humility and devotion of thy people. Let Zion break 
forth on the right hand and on the left. Add daily to 
thy church, in our own country, and in heathen lands, 
such as shall be saved. Bless every missionary gone 
forth to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches 
of Christ, and may more and more grace be given unto 
them all, that they may labour zealously, wisely, and 
abundantly in thy cause. 

And now, Lord, accept our unfeigned thanksgivings, 
for all those blessings which we daily so richly enjoy, 
and especially for the kind protection of another night. 
We thank thee more especially for those many dear 
ties of relationship, affection, and Christian principles, 



168 FOURTH WEEK* 

which bind us together. We bless thee for all that 
sympathy of feeling and union of heart which thou hast 
given us; and we pray that we may be more and more 
knit together in Christian love. 

But, beyond all other mercies, we bless thee for the 
common salvation of Jesus Christ; for his birth, his 
life, his death, and his resurrection; for all that he was, 
and is, and will be. Blessed be God for the gift of his 
Son Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, our only hope, and 
our sure refage. 

We trust that we may say we are one in Christ, mem- 
bers of that body of which he is the head; and we bless 
and praise thee for this thy unspeakable mercy. We 
thank thee for this opportunity of assembling ourselves 
together, to pay our morning sacrifice; and we pray that 
however we may be separated here below, or however 
scattered in different stations; as we have now met to- 
gether here on earth, we may hereafter all meet in hea- 
ven, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 

Our Father, &c. 



WEDNESDAY EVENING. Bickersteth. 

Gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, great in 
power, and rich in mercy to all them that call upon thee, 
help us now so, in the name of Christ, to ask, that we 
may have; and so to seek that we may find. 

Enter not into judgment with us, O Lord, for in thy 
sight we cannot be justified. However unblameable we 
may appear before men, before him who knows the 
heart we confess and would mourn over innumerable 
sins in the past day, and in every day of our life. 

We acknowledge with shame and sorrow our hypo- 
crisy and pride, our vanity and selfishness, our unbelief 
and impatience, our self-indulgence and self-righteous- 
ness, our obstinacy and self-will, our disregard of thy 
law and thy glory, our living to ourselves and not to 
thee. And, O how hard is our heart, that feels so little 
the guilt and the evil of so many and such great sins! 

Lord of all power and might, soften and break these 
hard hearts. Give us a contrite spirit. There is 
merey with thee. There is forgiveness with thee. O 



FOURTH WEEK. 169 

may thy great mercy be displayed towards us, in par- 
doning all our sins, and in renewing our souls. Give us 
penitence, faith, and self-denial. Bestow on us the 
graces of sincerity, humility, and love. 

May the love of Christ be more known and felt by 
us, and let it constrain us to live not to ourselves, but 
to him that died for us. Grant us thy Holy Spirit, 
teaching those things of which we are ignorant, taking 
of the things of Christ to show them unto us, and daily 
sanctifying our hearts. 

We ask for heavenly wisdom, holy simplicity, ardent 
zeal, and purity of heart. Incline us to study to be 
quiet, and to do our own business, and to work with our 
own hands. Prepare us, day by day, more and more, 
for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Make us 
meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in 
light. 

We commend ourselves to thy care during the night. 
May we lie down at peace with thee, through Christ, 
and in peace with all the world. 

O Lord, though we be unworthy through our mani- 
fold transgressions to approach thee at all, yet thou hast 
commanded that intercessions be made for all men; hear 
us, therefore, unworthy though we be, in behalf of all 
that need our prayers. May the Lord comfort his peo- 
ple, and have mercy upon his afflicted. Let all nations 
whom thou hast made come and worship before thee, 
and glorify thy name. Let every obstacle which may 
hinder the progress of thy truth be removed in mercy. 
Bless all the members of the church of Christ, and all 
his ministers, and especially those with whom we are 
more intimately connected. 

Give to our parents, our brothers, our sisters, and 
our relatives, all those temporal and spiritual blessings 
of which they stand in need. Bless our superiors, our 
companions, and all about us. Continue the blessing 
of peace to our country. Pardon any who may have 
injured us; and if we have injured any, may we be 
ready to confess our fault, and to make restitution for 
any wrong done, and may they be disposed to forgive 
us. 

We would not, O thou gracious giver of every good, 
close our evening prayer, without offering up, through 
p 



170 FOURTH WEEK. 

Christ Jesus, our sincerest thanksgiving for all the mer- 
cies of the past day. For any help vouchsafed in our 
duties; for any stand which we may have been enabled 
to make against sin, Satan, and the world; for any mea- 
sure of light, knowledge, or grace, given unto us, all 
praise, all glory be to thee. If we are still kept in thy 
way, and yet spared from that ruin which we have de- 
served, while we live, let us praise and bless thee. 

How great is the sum of thy mercies! When we look 
back on thy past blessings, when we read thy promises 
relating to that which is to come, and when we look 
around us on every side, and especially when we regard 
that cross on which thy Son died for sinners, we would 
say from the heart, Our mouths shall speak the praise 
of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy name for 
ever. 

Hear us, for the only sake of Jesus Christ. 

Our Father, &c. 



THURSDAY MORNING. JBickersteth. 

Merciful God, give ear unto us, when we cry to thee, 
in the name of Jesus Christ. Our voices shalt thou hear 
in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will we direct 
our prayer unto thee, and will look up. Lord help us 
to pray. 

Great is the need that we have to seek the Lord while 
he may be found, and to call upon him while he is near. 
We know that in us, that is, in our flesh, there dwelleth 
no good thing. The things of the world, the lust of the 
eye, and the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, are 
continually tempting us, and leading us astray from thee. 
Our affections towards thee, our God, are cold and dull. 
Our tempers are often unsanctified. We are prone to 
depart from thee, and lukewarm and indifferent when 
we ought to have a holy zeal. We too much neglect 
and trifle with our own salvation, and the salvation of 
our relatives and friends. We have little of that spirit- 
ual mind which is life and peace. Our temptations are 
many, we often yield to them; we have no strength of 
our own to resist them. 

We beseech thee, therefore, O our God, to be very 



FOURTH WEEK. 171 

merciful to us sinners. Incline and enable us to come 
to Jesus Christ, weary and heavy laden as we are, and 
may we find rest in him. Teach us our own guilt and 
ruin; and help us to rely on his blood, and build all our 
hopes on his righteousness. God grant that, being graft- 
ed in Christ, we may live to him. Suffer us not to de- 
ceive ourselves by a mere form and profession of reli- 
gion; but give us true faith that we may really abide in 
Christ and bear much fruit. Quicken thou our souls. 
Make our hearts pure, humble, and devout; and our 
conversation holy and heavenly. Thou art our Rock, 
and in thee do we trust. Thou art our Strength, O es- 
tablish us. Help us to live near to thee all the day long; 
and do thou preserve us from that sin which does so 
easily beset us. 

Give us grace this day to overcome temptation, and 
to mortify all our corrupt affections. Grant unto us 
the abundance of thy Holy Spirit. Lord, we deserve 
not the blessing; we have forfeited the mercy: but, O 
Thou, with whom is the residue of the Spirit, for the 
glory of thy name, and according to thy faithful pro- 
mise, give us thy Spirit, that we may never dishonour 
thee by inconsistency and unfruitfulness, but abound in 
every good work, and walk worthy of the gospel of 
Christ. Enable us to begin anew this day, in serious- 
ness, and entire dedication of heart to give ourselves to 
thee. 

Lord, help us this day to live in prayer, to watch 
against the peculiar temptations of our station, to em- 
brace every opportunity of doing good, to redeem the 
time, and to make steady advances in that narrow way 
which leadeth to eternal life. 

And while we pray to thee for those mercies which 
we need, we would from the heart, thank thee for all 
those great blessings which we have received, and do 
from day to day enjoy. The benefit of quiet repose, 
the renewal of our strength, the light which we enjoy, 
and the better light of life; these, and all the mercies 
which surround us on awaking, call for our unfeigned 
thanksgiving, and we do praise and bless thee for them. 
Blessed be thou for redeeming mercy. Blessed be thou 
that Jesus died for sinners, even for me. Thanks be 
unto thee that grace, pardon, peace, strength, the Holy 



172 FOURTH WEEK. 

Spirit, and eternal life, are given to sinners, through 
faith in Christ. Unto him that loved us, and washed 
us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us to 
be kings and priests unto God, and his Father, to him 
be glory and dominion forever and ever. 

O Lord God, let the bright glory and happy domi- 
nion of our Lord Jesus Christ be spread through the 
world. Increase both the number and the zeal of those 
seeking the good of Sion, and the enlargement of thy 
Son's kingdom. Grant thy blessing to every effort to 
make the unsearchable riches of Christ known to the 
Gentiles. Give unto thy people Israel the new heart 
and the new spirit. Bless our favoured country, so that 
it may be a highly honoured instrument in diffusing the 
light of truth abroad; and grant that every exertion for 
that end may be a means of reviving true religion in all 
our hearts at home. Bless all in authority. Let thy 
priests be clothed with righteousness, and thy people 
sing for joy. May peace and mercy be granted to all 
our relatives, and rest on our own souls, and in our own 
family. May we, and all thy people be united in one 
heart and mind in thy service and love, praying for 
each other, bearing one another's burdens, and so ful- 
filling the law of Christ. Hear us, for his name's 
sake. 

Our Father, Sec. 



THURSDAY EVENING. Bickersteth. 

Almighty God, Father of mercies, and God of all 
comfort, according to thy gracious promise, give us 
thy Holy Spirit to help our infirmities, and enable us, in 
the name, and through the mediation of thy Son Jesus 
Christ, our Lord, to call upon thee. 

Great is thy goodness to us sinners, in that we, who 
have grievously offended thee, have such a mediator, 
who ever liveth to make intercession for us. Without 
a Saviour we can have no hope; for we have sinned 
against thee, and done evil in thy sight day by day. 

We confess and mourn before thee the manifold sins 
of the past day. We daily offend thee by pride, impeni- 
tence, hardness of heart, unbelief, and forgetfulness of 



FOURTH WEEK. 173 

thee, and in many other ways: leaving undone the things 
which we ought to have done, and doing those things 
which we ought not. 

Lord, let thy Holy Spirit convince us of our sinfulness. 
We pray that we may see more of the extent of our ini- 
quities, and feel more of their guilt. Thus may we be 
led to hate sin, and to feel the need and value of that 
Saviour who came to seek and to save that which was 
lost. Grant that we may be partakers of his great sal- 
vation. Whatever else we lose may we win Christ and 
be found in him. 

Lord, we are unclean; if thou wilt thou canst make us 
clean. We believe that thou art able, we believe that 
thou art willing. Lord, help our unbelief; Lord, make 
us clean. 

Give us, we beseech thee, such a sense of thy mercy 
in free forgiveness, through the blood of Christ, that 
we may be constrained to present our bodies a living 
sacrifice unto thee. Enable us daily to crucify the 
lusts of the flesh. Give us such a measure of thy 
grace, that all the powers of our minds, all the affections 
of our hearts, and all the talents entrusted to us, may be 
unreservedly engaged for thee. Lord, incline us to spend 
ourselves and be spent for thee; strengthen our desire 
to do so, and enable us ever hereafter to bring this de- 
sire to good effect. 

Let the number of thy willing and devoted servants 
be every where increased. Be thou exalted, O God, 
above the heavens, and thy glory above all the earth. 
Pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh, that all the ends of 
the earth may remember and turn unto the Lord, and 
all the kindreds of the nations may worship before thee. 
Let thy great name, now so little known, and so much 
profaned, be magnified and sanctified in every country 
and by every tongue. 

Bless the land in which we dwell; its government, 
the ministers of Jesus Christ, and all its people. May 
we be a people fearing God and working righteousness. 
Look with thine especial favour on our relatives and 
friends, our family connexions and acquaintance. May 
they all be partakers of the grace of Christ here, and of 
his glory hereafter. 

We will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall 
p 2 



174 FOURTH WEEK. 

continually be in our mouths. Bless the Lord, O our 
souls, and forget not all his benefits. How great and 
how numerous they are! 

Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with bene- 
fits. All the temporal mercies granted so ^abundantly 
to us, our food, our clothing, our home, our friends, the 
daily provisions for our various necessities, these are 
from thee, who openest thy hand and fillest all things 
living with plenteousness. But, above all, blessed be 
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath 
blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things 
in Christ Jesus. Thanks be unto God for his unspeaka- 
ble gift. 

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the 
only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. 

These prayers and praises we offer up in the name of 
the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of perishing sinners: 
trusting only in his mediation and merits. 

Our Father, Sec. 



FRIDAY MORNING. Bickersteth- 

Almighty and heavenly Father, who art about our 
path, and about our bed, and spiest out all our ways; 
we come to thee in the name of thy beloved Son, to 
supplicate thy mercy as we enter upon the duties of 
another day. 

Thou, O Lord, art a shield for us, our glory, and the 
lifter up of our heads. We laid us down, and slept; we 
awaked, for thou, Lord hast sustained us. For restored 
light, for life, and health, and strength, we praise and 
bless thee. Thou, Lord, only, keepest us in safety, and 
free from evil. Thou providest for all our wants. May 
our souls, and all that is within us, magnify God for all 
his goodness, and especially for his wonderful mercy 
in redeeming sinners by Jesus Christ; for the light of 
that Sun of Righteousness, which arises with healing 
in his wings on benighted souls; for all the blessings of 
free salvation through him, all the means of grace, and 
the hope of future glory. 

Sad are the returns which we have made for so many 
mercies. How ungrateful have we been! We acknow- 

4 



FOURTH WEEK. 175 

ledge and bewail our manifold sins and rebellions. We 
were born in sin, and we find continually the flesh lust- 
ing against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh, 
so that we cannot do the things that we would. We 
are guilty, sinful, and weak. Lord, save us, or we 
perish. We entirely depend on thy mercy, in Christ 
Jesus, for the gift and continuance of every good, and 
for deliverance from all those evils which we have just- 
ly deserved. 

For that mercy we now earnestly look to thee, O 
Father of mercies. Remember us, O Lord, with the 
favour that thou bearest unto thy people. O visit us 
with thy salvation^ that we may see the good of thy 
chosen, that we may rejoice in the gladness of thy peo- 
ple, that we may glory with thine inheritance. May 
the grace of God which bringeth salvation, teach us, 
and all men, to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and 
to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present 
world. Enable us now, and ever hereafter, to seek the 
glory of thy holy name, by fulfilling every duty of our 
station conscientiously and diligently. 

Give us grace to be continually looking to thee, 
through this day, for direction, assistance, and strength. 
Be thou in all our thoughts, and let us acknowledge 
thee in all our ways. 

Give us the same mind that was in Christ Jesus, that 
we may be humble, patient, gentle, and full of love, 
even as he was. Teach us to be poor in spirit, and 
meek; to mourn for sin, and to hunger and thirst after 
righteousness; and thus shall we obtain the blessings 
of the kingdom of Christ. Grant* that we may love 
that Saviour whom we have not seen, and believing in 
him may we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of 
glory. 

And here constrained by thy mercies, we would afresh 
present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and accepta- 
ble unto thee, which is our reasonable service. We 
renew in thy presence all our solemn vows, renouncing 
the world, the flesh, and the devil; and steadfastly pur- 
posing, by thy help, to keep thy holy will and com- 
mandments, and walk in the same this and every day 
of our lives. We take thee, O God, for our portion, 
and thy laws as our rule, and thy service as our duty, 



176 FOURTH WEEK. 



>e wholly 



entreating thee to give us grace that we may be 
thine. 

And O that all mankind knew and served thee. Grant 
that the kingdom which is righteousness, and peace, 
and joy in the Holy Ghost, may be established in every 
land, in every heart. Fulfil thy gracious promises. 
Send thy gospel to the Gentiles, and let them be turned 
from darkness to light. Let the kingdoms of this 
world speedily become the kingdoms of our God and 
his Christ, that he may reign for ever. 

Grant the abundance of thy Holy Spirit to the minis- 
ters of Christ every where, and especially to him who 
watches over our souls. Bless the place and the neigh- 
bourhood in which we live, and prosper every effort to 
do good. 

Lord, we beseech thee also to bless our more imme- 
diate relations. Regard with thy favour our parents, 
our brothers and sisters, our benefactors and friends, 
our connexions and acquaintance. Look upon them in 
mercy, and visit them with thy salvation. Hear these 
prayers, for the only sake of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Our Father, &c. 



FRIDAY EVENING. Bickersteth. 

Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
and the God of the spirits of all flesh, the earth is thine, 
and the fulness thereof, the round world, and they that 
dwell therein. 

We come, as sinners, but trusting in thy beloved Son, 
our Advocate, and the propitiation for our sins, and 
looking for the promised spirit of grace and supplica- 
tion. 

Lord, we confess before thee our own sins, and those 
of our country. Like thy people of old, while we have 
been greatly distinguished by privileges, we have also 
been a sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed 
of evil doers, children that are corrupters. We have 
forsaken the Lord, and have provoked the Holy One of 
Israel. And chiefly, now, we would confess our cold- 
ness and indifference in extending the blessings of that 



FOURTH WEEK. 177 

glorious Gospel which thou hast entrusted to us. How 
slothful and unconcerned have we been to communicate 
to others the privileges which we enjoy, and to use all 
the means which thou hast given unto us of imparting 
the knowledge of Christ to distant lands! To us belong 
shame and confusion of face, because we have sinned 
against thee. But to the Lord our God belong mercies 
and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against 
him. 

We beseech thee give us a zeal for thy glory. Foun- 
tain of light, and life, and grace, pour upon us thy quick- 
ening Spirit, to animate and excite us to devote our- 
selves to thee. Raise up, we pray thee, those who shall 
unceasingly pray, and give, and think, and labour, for the 
spread of thy truth. Revive the days of the primitive 
church, when thy people, walking in the fear of the 
Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were mul- 
tiplied. 

May the true light come more and more to thy church, 
and the glory of the Lord rise upon her; and may the 
Gentiles come to this light, and kings to the brightness 
of thy rising. 

Lord, we plead the glory of thy great name, the faith- 
fulness of thy promises, and the happiness of thine own 
creation; and with these pleas, we ask, that the heathen 
may be given to Christ for his inheritnce, and the ut- 
termost parts of the earth for his possession. 

O Lord, hast thou not said, "It shall come to pass in 
the last days that I will pour out of my Spirit upon all 
flesh?" Behold! in these last days: give now to us 
that ask. With thee is the residue of the Spirit; and 
the Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save, 
nor his ear heavy that it cannot hear. 

Have respect unto the Covenant, for the dark places 
of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. May 
the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his 
wings, on those people now sitting in darkness and the 
shadow of death. 

We pray thee to hasten the coming of that time, 
when it shall not be asked, Who hath believed our re- 
port? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? 
but it shall be said, The Lord hath made bare his holy 



178 FOURTH WEEK. 

arm in the sight of all nations, and all the ends of the 
earth have seen the salvation of our God. 

And grant, gracious Lord, that while the fulness of 
the Gentiles is come in, all Israel may also be saved. 
May the veil which remains upon their hearts when 
Moses is read, be taken away by their turning to the 
Lord. May this branch which has so long been broken 
off, at length be grafted into its own Olive-tree. 

O Let the Deliverer come out of Zion, and turn away 
ungodliness from Jacob. 

And while we thus pray, we thank thee, good and 
gracious Lord, for all the blessed signs of the times in 
which we live. We bless thee for the beginning of a 
general desire to spread thy truth through the world, 
and that societies have been raised in these latter days, 
among all denominations of thy servants, for evange- 
lizing the heathen, and for their conversion from dumb 
idols to the living God. We thank thee for any success 
given to these efforts, and would thereby be encouraged 
to persevere in more zealous labours, and more fervent 
prayers. 

* In this great work, O Lord, may we as a family, 
partake. Thou hast cast our lot in a Christian land, 
and surrounded us with Christian enjoyments. In all 
our comforts, may we regard thy hand, and while we 
enjoy so richly the light of thy gospel, may we remem- 
ber that there are millions who are destitute. Thou 
hast brought us in safety, and amid many blessings, 
through another day. Thou hast caused the light of 
truth, like the light of the sun, to shine around us, and 
our dwelling. Thou hast encompassed our path; and 
hast given to us mercies bestowed on few of the human 
family. While we taste these blessings, and while we 
render thee praise for them, we would also pray, that 
they may be soon enjoyed by all nations. In the midst 
of a Christian land, and surrounded with the mercies of 
religion, liberty, education, and peace, we now commit 
ourselves to thy fatherly protection through the dan- 
gers of this night. Preserve us, O God, we pray thee, 
from all harm, and bless those who have no home, no 
pillow, no quiet abode— those that wander without any 
one to guide them; those that are confined in prison 
with no one to comfort them; those that are oppressed 



FOURTH WEEK. 179 

5 and in bondage, with no one to relieve; those that are 

in danger by land or by sea, and no one to protect them; 

I those that are sick, with none to minister to them; and 

, those that are dying, with no one to break to them the 

ii bread of life. — These blessings for ourselves and our 

3 fellow creatures, we humbly beg, in the name of that 

[merciful Redeemer, who, by the grace of God, tasted 

death for every man; and to whom, with thee and the 

; Holy Ghost be honour and glory, both now and forever. 

Amen.* 



SATURDAY MORNING. Bickersteth. 

* We appear before thee, O Lord, our most merci- 
ful Father, to give thee thanks for preserving mercy 
i through another night. To thy goodness we owe it, 
i that we have laid us down and slept, for thou hast sus- 
I tained us. Our voice shalt thou hear in the morning. 
l To thee would we come, and to thee would we look, O 
thou preserver of men. 

, Spared by thy mercy, we enter upon the duties and 
, dangers of another day. Our bodies and our souls — 
lour life, our property, our health, our talents, are all 
thine. Thou hast formed us, and not we ourselves. 
These bodies, fearfully and wonderfully made, are the 
proofs of thy wisdom and power. Thou art the Father 
of our spirits, and the God of our lives. Thou hast re- 
deemed us by the blood of Christ, thine only Son. Thou 
hast sent down thy Holy Spirit to renew and sanctify 
our hearts. And to thee, and thy holy service, O 
Lord our God, we desire now unfeignedly and entirely 
to devote our lives. Make us useful to our fellow-crea- 
tures. Open before us paths of benevolence, and dis- 
pose us to walk therein. May our time, and influence, 
and property, and all that we have and are, be conse- 
crated to thy holy service. May we not live in vain. 
When we die, whether it be this day, or at ^future pe- 
riod, may we have the satisfaction of reflecting that we 
have been enabled by thy grace, to do something for 
that blessed cause in behalf of which thy Son, though 
he was rich, yet became poor, and who gave himself 
unto death, that he might save a lost world.* 



180 FOURTH WEEK. 

Holy, holy, holy Lord, we acknowledge it to be owing 
to thy infinite mercy, that we were not left in the dark- 
ness of heathen lands. Thou didst incline thy servants 
of old to send faithful missionaries to preach thy glo- 
rious gospel; thou didst support them in all their trials 
and difficulties, and at length this favoured country be- 
came a Christian land. And, Lord, how hast thou since 
blessed us above other nations, in the enjoyment of the 
light of thy truth, and in the power and means to com- 
municate it! We feel that our privileges imply duties. 
Give us grace, then, to labour, that the word of the 
Lord may from us sound out in every place. We thank 
thee that thou hast given many the disposition to aid in 
this work, and that numbers of thy servants are united 
in societies, to send abroad the tidings of salvation. 
Lord, bless them all. Greatly increase the number of 
such as have at heart the good of Sion. 

We thank thee, O Lord, that thy holy word is trans- 
lating into numerous different languages, and that now 
so many nations may hear in their own tongues the 
wonderful works of God. Give yet greater success to 
these efforts. Facilitate this work by imparting, more 
and more, peculiar talents to those engaged therein. 

Lord, do thou prepare and call forth labourers. Qua- 
lify fit instruments to conduct missionary efforts, and 
give them faith, wisdom, and judgment, uprightness, 
patience, and self-denial, a single eye, and a single heart, 
in all their proceedings. So incline their minds, that 
they may send none to labour among the heathen but 
those that are first chosen of thee: men anointed with 
the Holy Ghost. Do thou raise up meek, humble, pa- 
tient, believing, laborious, and persevering men, count- 
ing their word their wages and looking for the recom- 
pense of reward hereafter: men suited to the exigencies 
of the heathen, in their various degrees of civilization 
and knowledge, and adapted to meet their wants in each 
particular situation; men willing to spend themselves, 
and be spent for Christ. Lord, send forth, we beseech 
thee, send forth such labourers. 

Regard, we beseech thee, O Lord, with thy infinite 
love, those who have gone forth in thy name to heathen 
lands, to labour in making Christ known to the Gen- 
tiles. Help them to be followers of thy Apostles. Grant 



FOURTH WEEK. 181 

; that they may never lose that first love and ardour of 

1 mind which induced them, for Christ's sake, to leave 

i country, home, friends, and relatives. Preserve them 

sound in doctrine, and pure in their life and conversa- 

i tion. In the faith of Christ may they vanquish the 

world, the flesh, and the devil, and overcome apparent- 

i ly insurmountable difficulties. Give unto them utter- 

! ance, that they may open their mouth boldly, to make 

known the mystery of the gospel. Give them grace to 

hope even against hope; and in thy own good time re- 

• move every opposing obstacle to the universal diffusion 

i of thy truth. Let the course of thy providence prepare 

i the way for thy servants. Let every fresh advance, 

I either in commerce, science, or arts, aid the coming on 

of the Redeemer's kingdom; all things work together 

for good, till all shall know thee, the only true God, 

from the least to the greatest. 

And for this we entreat the full out-pouriug of thy 
Holy Spirit upon all flesh; upon kings of the earth and 
all people; upon all Christian ministers; upon princes, 
senators, and magistrates; young men and maidens, old 
men and children. Let them praise the name of the 
Lord, for his name alone is excellent, his glory is above 
the earth and heaven. 

O Lord, it is not our glory we seek, but thine. We 
long, we ask, we pray, that thy will may be done on 
earth as it is in heaven; that all nations whom thou 
hast made may come and worship before thee, and glo- 
rify thy name. Lord, thou knowest our desires: we 
know not how to express them as we should. Do for 
us and thy church exceedingly abundantly above all that 
we ask or think, for thy great name's sake. 

These prayers we offer up in the name of our Lord 
Jesus Christ. 
Our Father, &c. 



SATURDAY EVENING. Bickersteth. 

O God — thou art the God of all the families of the 
earth; for they are formed by thy will, and supported 
by thy providence. But thou art, in a peculiar manner, 

o. 



182 FOURTH WEEK. 

the God of those families, in which thy name is known, 
and loved, and honoured. Thou blessest the habitation 
of the just. Whatever be the dispositions of others, 
we desire to say, As for us, and our house, we will serve 
the Lord. Thy yoke is easy, thy burden is light; thy 
work is honourable and glorious; and in keeping thy 
commandments, there is great reward. Thou art the 
best of all masters; thou hast promised to bear with 
our infirmities, and to suffer us to want no good thing. 
Already thou hast laid us under infinite obligations, 
as the God of Providence and of grace; thou hast dealt 
well with thy servants, O Lord. Bless the Lord, O our 
souls, and all that is within us, bless his holy name. 
Bless the Lord, O our souls, and all that is within us, 
bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O our souls, and 
forget not all his benefits. 

By thy good hand upon us, we have been conducted 
through the perils, not only of another day, but another 
week; a period, during which many have been carried 
down to their graves, and we have been brought so 
much nearer to our own. Impress us with the lapse of 
our time, and so teach us to number our days, that we 
may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Many have been 
involved in perplexities, and exposed to want; many 
have been confined to the house of mourning, or the 
bed of sickness; but we have been indulged with li- 
berty, and ease, and health, and strength; we have seen 
thy loving kindness every morning, and thy faithfulness 
every night; and have had all things richly to enjoy. 

But, O how little have we been affected by the in- 
stances of thy undeserved goodness; how imperfectly 
have we improved our religious privileges; how negli- 
gent have we been in seizing opportunities of doing 
good to the bodies and souls of our fellow-creatures — 
and how well does it become each of us to exclaim, Be- 
hold I am vile; what shall I answer thee? wherefore I 
abhor myself, repenting in dust and ashes. 

We appear before thee this evening in our trespass; 
enter not into judgment with thy servants, O Lord. Our 
only hope is, that to the Lord our God belong mercies 
and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him. 
Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy loving 



FIFTH WEEK. 183 

kindness, according to the multitude of thy tender mer- 
cies, blot out our transgressions. 

And may a confidence in thy goodness, instead of en- 
couraging us to sin, that grace may abound, inspire us 
with that godly sorrow which worketh repentance unto 
life. May we hate and forsake every false way. May 
we be attentive to our condition, and study our charac- 
ter; may we bridle our tongue, and keep our heart with 
all diligence. 

May we often look back and see, how at any time we 
have been ensnared or overcome; and watch and pray 
in future, lest we enter into temptation. And do thou 
keep us by thy power; uphold us by thy free Spirit; 
and not only restrain us from sin, but mortify us to it. 

May sleep refresh our bodies, and fit them for thy 
service on the ensuing clay; and may thy grace prepare 
our minds. May we leave all the cares of the world for 
a while, behind; that we may attend on the Lord with- 
out distraction. May we repair to the hallowed exer- 
cises of devotion, as the hart panteth after the water 
brooks. May we call the Sabbath a delight, and be 
glad when they say to us, Let us go into the house of 
the Lord. 

And, O thou God of all grace, do as thou hast said; 
fulfil thy word unto thy servants, upon which thou hast 
caused them to hope. Bless abundantly the provisions 
of thy house, and satisfy thy poor with bread. Clothe 
thy priests with salvation, and let thy saints shout aloud 
for joy. 

And to the God of all grace, the Father, the Word, 
and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, both now 
and for ever. Jlmen. 



FIFTH -WEEK. 



SABBATH MORNING. Cotterill. 

O Thou, Lord of the Sabbath, who hast set apart this 
day for thyself, and hast commanded us to keep it holy 
to thy name, look down upon a family of sinful crea- 



184 FIFTH WEEK. 

tures who are assembled together to acknowledge thy 
goodness in bringing us to see it. 

We adore thee for thy patience and forbearance in 
not dealing with us according to our deserts, nor re- 
warding us according to our iniquities. And we be- 
seech thee to pour down upon us the abundance of thy 
grace, that we may rest this day according to thy com- 
mandment. Let not thy sabbath be a weariness to us, 
but our delight. Let us honour thee, by not doing our 
own ways, nor finding our own pleasure, nor speaking 
our own words. 

Bless us, O Lord, with all spiritual blessings in 
Christ Jesus: bless us, we pray thee, in turning away 
every one of us from our iniquities. Wash us in the 
fountain of that blood which cleanseth from all sin. 
Clothe us with the robe of that righteousness, which is, 
by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them 
that believe. 

Prepare us for the various duties which are now be- 
fore us. 

Sanctify unto us thy appointed means of grace. 
Send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead us; let 
them bring us to thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacle. 
May we go with the multitude to thy house of prayer, 
with the voice of joy and praise, with the multitude 
that keep holy-day. There may we give thee the glory 
which is due unto thy name, and worship thee in the 
beauty of holiness. May we see thy power and thy 
glory, so as thy servants see them in the sanctuary; 
and be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even 
of thy holy temple. 

Grant, O Lord, that the Scriptures, which thou hast 
caused to be written for our learning, may be applied 
to our hearts in the demonstration of the Spirit, and of 
power. May we in such wise hear them, read, mark, 
learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace, 
and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, 
through a crucified Redeemer. 

Hear our prayers, O God, for all Christian minis- 
ters; [especially for him whom thou hast appointed 
over us;] and endue them with the grace of thy Holy 
Spirit. Give unto them the spirit of love, and of pow- 
er, and of a sound mind. Make them able ministers 



FIFTH WEEK. 185 

of the New Testament, faithful stewards of thy mys- 
teries. Help them to take heed to themselves and to 
the doctrine; that so, according to .thy promise, they 
may both save themselves and those who hear them. 

We beseech thee to inspire continually the Universal 
Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord ; 
and grant that all they who do confess thy name, may 
agree in the truth of thy holy word, and live in unity 
and godly love. May numbers be added to it, every 
Sabbath-day, of such as shall be saved. 

Look in mercy upon such as have hitherto neglected 
thy Sabbaths. Teach them to improve those that re- 
main; and so to redeem the time which they have lost, 
that they may be numbered among thy true people. 

Remember for good as many as, through sickness, 
or any other impediment, may be prevented from at- 
tending the ordinances of thy house, and the habitation 
which their soul loveth. Let thy presence be with them 
in their private meditations, even as with those who 
shall assemble together in the place where thy honour 
dwelleth. 

We pray thee, also, to have compassion upon those 
who as yet belong not to thy visible Church. 

O thou who art a light to lighten the Gentiles, and 
the glory of thy people Israel, shine upon the nations 
which are sitting in darkness, and in the shadow of 
death. 

Give, O Lord, the word, that great may be the com- 
pany of the preachers, who shall go forth into all the 
world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Let 
nation after nation be converted to the Christian faith, 
till the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms 
of our Lord and of his Christ, and the earth be filled 
with the knowledge of thy glory, as the waters cover 
the sea. 

Hear, we beseech thee, O heavenly Father, these 
our imperfect petitions; and answer them in the mul- 
titude of thy tender mercies, for the sake of Jesus 
Christ, our only Lord and Saviour; to whom, with thee 
and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world 
without end. 

Our Father, &c. 

*2 



186 FIFTH WEEK. 

SABBATH EVENING. Cotterill. 

O God, whose nature and property is ever to have 
mercy, and to forgive, receive our humble petitions; 
and though we be tied and bound with the chain of our 
sins, yet let the pitifulness of thy great mercy loose us, 
for the honour of Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Ad- 
vocate. 

O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord 
God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away 
the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that 
takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. 
Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our 
prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the 
Father, have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy: 
thou only art the Lord: thou only, O Christ, with the 
Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Fa- 
ther. 

And as we beseech thee, O Lord, to forgive us all our 
sins, negligences, and ignorances, (particularly those of 
the past day,) so may it please thee to give us true re- 
pentance; and to endue us with the grace of thy Holy 
Spirit, to amend our lives according to thy holy word. 

O Thou, from whom all good things do come, grant 
to us, thy humble servants, that, by thy holy inspiration, 
we may think those things that be good, and by thy 
merciful guiding, may perform the same. 

Accept, we beseech thee, O Lord, our hearty thanks for 
the means of grace which have been vouchsafed us this 
day; and for every blessing which thou hast bestowed 
upon us. 

To thee be ascribed all the good w r hich we have re- 
ceived ourselves, and all which has been wrought in 
others. 

We bless thee in behalf of those who may have been 
turned from their evil ways, or who have been com- 
forted, instructed, and in any way edified, in thy house 
of prayer. 

For these, and all thy other mercies, our souls do 
magnify thy glorious name, which is exalted above all 
blessing and praise. 

We further beseech thee, O Father Almighty, to 
open the ears of thy compassion to our supplications 
for others. 



FIFTH WEEK. ] 87 

Mercifully look upon the Universal Church which 
thou hast purchased to thyself with the precious blood 
of thy dear Son. 

And to those that shall be ordained to any holy func- 
tion, give thy grace and heavenly benediction; that, 
both by their life and doctrine, they may set forth thy 
glory, and set forward the salvation of all men. 

Bless the words which have been spoken in thy name 
this day; and let them not prove to any the savour of 
death unto death, but of life unto life, to all who have 
heard them. 

Be gracious unto thy servants who have met together 
with us in thy courts: and grant that as many as are 
planted in this house of the Lord, may flourish in the 
courts of the house of our God. 

Have mercy on those by whom the day of rest has 
been disregarded. Father, forgive them, for they know 
not what they do. 

Be favourable, also, unto those who have been kept 
by sickness, or any other necessity, from joining the 
public assemblies of thy Church. Do thou, Almighty 
Lord, who art a most strong tower unto them that put 
their trast in thee, to whom all things in heaven, and in 
earth, and under the earth, do bow and obey; be now 
and evermore their defence, and make them to know 
and to feel that there is none other name under heaven 
given to man, in whom and through whom, they may 
receive health and salvation, but only the name of our 
Lord Jesus Christ. 

We give thee hearty thanks, likewise, for such of 
them as it. may have pleased thee this day to deliver out 
of the miseries of this sinful world; beseeching thee, 
that it may also please thee, of thy gracious goodness, 
shortly to accomplish the number of thy elect, and to 
hasten thy kingdom; that we, with all those that are 
departed in the true faith of thy holy name, may have 
our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and 
soul, in thy eternal and everlasting glory, through Jesus 
Christ, our Lord; in whose name we offer up these our 
prayers; and conclude them in the words which he 
himself has taught us to use: 



188 FIFTH WEEK. 

MONDAY MORNING. H. More. 

Almighty and most merciful Father! thou art a God 
that hearest prayer; and we are encouraged to draw 
nigh unto thy throne of grace, most humbly beseech- 
ing thee to look upon us, according to thy tender mercy 
in Jesus Christ. We confess our daily offences against 
thee in thought, word, and deed. If thou shouldst be 
extreme to mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who 
might abide it! Deal not with us after our sins, neither 
reward us after our iniquities. We bless thee for that 
all prevailing advocate, Jesus Christ, the righteous: by 
his cross and intercession, good Lord deliver us. 

We are now about to enter upon the worldly employ- 
ments of another week: strengthen us with thy grace, 
that these may not withdraw our hearts from thee, nor 
make us negligent of our souls, and our salvation. May 
the influences of the Sabbath rest upon us through the 
week, and may the solemn and blessed truths which we 
heard yesterday, in the house of prayer, abide in our 
memories, and direct our conduct! 

With many thanks for thy mercies during the past 
night we now cast ourselves upon thy protection, not 
knowing what this day may bring forth; but trusting 
in that wisdom which cannot err, and in that love 
which cannot fail; do thou appoint our lot as seemeth 
good to both. Father, not our will, but thine be done! 
Preserve us from temptation; preserve us from sin; 
preserve us from our own evil hearts; and if we are 
permitted to see the close of this day, let us look back 
upon it as one in which we have walked with God. 

Preserve us from the power of evil; from the sin that 
doth so easily beset us; from the lusts of the flesh, and 
the vanities of a wicked world. 

Send thy good Spirit to direct and guide us in the 
ways and works of godliness; purify our affections; en- 
liven our devotion; teach us how to pray, and how to 
hear, and read, and profit by thy holy word. Make us 
Christians, not only in name, but also in heart and in 
hope. Teach us the value of our souls, and the salva- 
tion which has been wrought for them by Christ Jesus. 
May we never be ashamed of confessing him before 



FIFTH WEEK. 189 

men, but, amidst all discouragements and difficulties, 
give us boldness to show ourselves his true disciples. 

Let our conversation be such as becometh his gospel; 
and whatsoever we do in word or in deed, let us do all in 
his name, giving thanks to God and the Father through 
him. And let the words of our mouths, and the medi- 
tations of our hearts, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, 
our strength, and our Redeemer. 

Our Father, &c. 



MONDAY EVENING. H. More. 

O Lord God Almighty, we bless thee for* all the 
mercies of the past day, and we pray thee now to take us 
under thy care, and to deliver us from all the perils and 
dangers of this night. Preserve us, O Lord, both in 
body and soul, from every evil, and keep us from all 
sinful thoughts when we are about to close our eyes in 
sleep. 

And pardon, we beseech thee, all our offences, for the 
sake of Jesus Christ. We confess, O Lord, that we 
have this day left undone many things which we ought 
to have done, and done may things which we ought not 
to have done. Pardon all our pride and vanity, our 
idleness and self-indulgence, our impatience, fretfulness, 
and discontent. Pardon, O Lord, all the rash and an- 
gry words which we have this day spoken, and all the 
sinful thoughts which have arisen up in our minds, and 
which we have not been careful to resist. And espe- 
cially, we pray thee, to pardon our forgetfulness of thee, 
our God, and our want of gratitude and love to Jesus 
Christ. For these, and all our other sins, which, from 
time to time, we have committed, we here implore thy 
pardon and forgiveness, in the name of our most mer- 
ciful Saviour. 

And since we know that our life is so short and un- 
certain, help us, day by day, to think of our latter end. 
O Lord, grant us grace so to live that we be not afraid 
to die; and do thou receive our souls at last into thine 
eternal kingdom. 

Enable us this night to shake off all worldly cares and 
desires, and to meditate upon thee; let thy Holy Spirit 



190 FIFTH WEEK. 

be present with us, to purify our hearts, and to bring 
before us the things which concern our peace, and to 
inspire us with godly resolutions. 

Above all things, make us rightly to understand thine 
infinite mercy in the redemption of mankind by Jesus 
Christ, and diligently to avail ourselves of all our pri- 
vileges, as his disciples, and thy children by adoption 
and grace. 

O heavenly Father, we commit ourselves to thy holy 
keeping this night, and desire to rest securely under the 
shadow of thy protection. Defend us from all perils 
and dangers, and especially from those which may as- 
sault and hurt the soul. Prepare us by comfortable re- 
pose for the duties of the morrow; and grant that we 
may rise disposed and strengthened for thy service, as 
faithful and diligent disciples of thy blessed Son; in 
whose words we further pray: 

Our Father, Sec. 



TUESDAY MORNING. Com. Prayer. 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy 
name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as 
it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and for- 
give us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass 
against us; and lead us not into temptation; but deliver 
us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, 
and the glory, for ever, and ever. 

Almighty and everlasting God, in whom we live, and 
move, and have our being; we, thy needy creatures, 
render thee our humble praises for thy preservation of 
us from the beginning of our lives to this day, and es- 
pecially for having delivered us from the dangers of the 
past night. To thy watchful providence we owe it, that 
no disturbance hath come nigh us or our dwelling; but 
that we are brought in safety to the beginning of this 
day. For these thy mercies, we bless and magnify thy 
glorious name; humbly beseeching thee to accept this 
our morning sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; for 
his sake who lay dow r n in the grave, and rose again for 
us, thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

And since it is of thy mercy, O gracious Father, that 



FIFTH WEEK. 191 

another day is added to our lives; we here dedicate 
both our souls and our bodies to thee and thy service, 
in a sober, righteous, and godly life; in which resolu- 
tion, do thou, O merciful God, confirm and strengthen 
us; that, as we grow in age, we may grow in grace, and 
in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

But O God, who knowest the weakness and corrup- 
tion of our nature, and the manifold temptations which 
we daily meet with; we humbly beseech thee to have 
compassion on our infirmities, and to give us the con- 
stant assistance of thy Holy Spirit; that we may be ef- 
fectually restrained from sin, and excited to our duty. 
Imprint upon our hearts such a dread of thy judgments, 
and such a grateful sense of thy goodness to us, as may 
make us both afraid and ashamed to offend thee. And, 
above all, keep in our minds a lively remembrance of 
that great day, in which we must give a strict account 
of our thoughts, words, and actions; and, according to 
the works done in the body, be eternally rewarded or 
punished, by him whom thou hast appointed the Judge 
of quick and dead, thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

In particular, we implore thy grace and protection 
for the ensuing day. Keep us temperate in our meats 
and drinks, and diligent in our several callings. Grant 
us patience under any afflictions thou shalt see fit to lay 
on us, and minds always contented with our present 
condition. Give us grace to be just and upright in all 
our dealings; quiet and peaceable; full of compassion; 
and ready to do good to all men according to our 
abilities and opportunities. Direct us in all our ways, 
and prosper the works of our hands in the business of 
our several stations. Defend us from all dangers and 
adversities; and be graciously pleased to take us, and 
all things belonging to us, under thy Fatherly care and 
protection. These things, and whatever else thou shalt 
see necessary and convenient to us, we humbly beg, 
through the merits and mediation of thy Son, Jesus 
Christ, our Lord and Saviour. 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of 
God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us 
all evermore. Amen. 



192 FIFTH WEEK. 

TUESDAY EVENING. Com. Prayer. 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy 
name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as 
it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and 
forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who tres- 
pass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but 
deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the 
power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 

Most merciful God, who art of purer eyes than to be- 
hold iniquity, and hast promised forgiveness to all those 
who confess and forsake their sins; we come before thee 
in an humble sense of our own unworthiness, acknowledg- 
ing our manifold transgressions of thy righteous laws. 
But, O gracious Father, who desirest not the death of a 
sinner, look upon us, we beseech thee, in mercy, and 
forgive us all our transgressions. Make us deeply sen- 
sible of the great evil of them; and work in us an hearty 
contrition; that we may obtain forgiveness at thy hands, 
who art ever ready to receive humble and penitent sin- 
ners; for the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ, our only Sa- 
viour and Redeemer. 

And lest, through our own frailty, or the temptations 
which encompass us, we be drawn again into sin, vouch- 
safe us, we beseech thee, the direction and assistance of 
thy Holy Spirit. Reform whatever is amiss in the tem- 
per and disposition of our souls; that no unclean 
thoughts, unlawful designs, or inordinate desires, may 
rest there. Purge our hearts from envy, hatred, and 
malice; that we may never suffer the sun to go down 
upon our wrath; but may always go to our rest in peace, 
charity, and good-will, with a conscience void of offence 
towards thee and towards men; that so we may be pre- 
served, pure and blameless, unto the coming of our Lord 
and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

And accept, O Lord, our intercessions for all man- 
kind. Let the light of thy gospel shine upon all nations; 
and may as many as have received it, live as becomes it. 
Be gracious unto thy church; and grant that every 
member of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may 
serve thee faithfully. Bless all in authority over us; 
and so rule their hearts, and strengthen their hands, 
that they may punish wickedness and vice, and main- 



FIFTH WEEK. 193 

tain thy true religion and virtue. Send down thy bless- 
ings, temporal and spiritual, upon all our relations, 
friends, and neighbours. Reward all who have done us 
good, and pardon all those who have done or wish us 
evil, and give them repentance and better minds. Be 
merciful to all who are in any trouble ; and do thou, the 
God of pity, administer to them according to their se- 
veral necessities, for his sake who went about doing 
good, thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

To our prayers, O Lord, we join our unfeigned thanks 
for all thy mercies; for our being, our reason, and all 
other endowments and faculties of soul and body; for 
our health, friends, food, and raiment, and all the other 
comforts and conveniences of life. Above all, we adore 
thy mercy in sending thy only Son into the world to re- 
deem us from sin and eternal death, and in giving us the 
knowledge and sense of our duty towards thee. We 
bless thee for thy patience with us, notwithstanding our 
many and great provocations; for all the directions, as- 
sistances, and comforts of thy Holy Spirit; for thy con- 
tinual care and watchful providence over us through 
the whole course of our lives; and particularly for the 
mercies and benefits of the past day; beseeching thee to 
continue these thy blessings to us; and give to us grace to 
show our thankfulness in a sincere obedience to his laws, 
through whose merits and intercession we received 
i them all, thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

In particular, we beseech thee to continue thy gra- 

I cious protection to us this night. Defend us from all 

i dangers and mischiefs, and from the fear of them; that 

i we may enjoy such refreshing sleep as may fit us for 

: the duties of the following day. Make us ever mindful 

of the time when we shall lie down in the dust; and 

grant us grace always to live in such a state, that we 

may never be afraid to die: so that living and dying we 

may be thine, through the merits and satisfaction of thy 

Son, Christ Jesus, in whose name we offer up these our 

imperfect prayers. 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of 
God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us 
all evermore. Jlmm. 

R 



194 FIFTH WEEK. 

WEDNESDAY MORNING. Cotterill. 

Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred 
and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have 
followed too much the devices and desires of our own 
hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We 
have left undone those things which we ought to have 
done: and we have done those things which we ought 
not to have done; and there is no health in us. But 
thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. 
Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults. 
Restore thou them that are penitent; according to thy 
promises declared unto mankind, in Christ Jesus our 
Lord. 

And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that 
we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, 
to the glory of thy holy name. 

Help us, especially, so to live through the day upon 
which we have entered. 

Bless us in all our ways; and, whatever we do, may 
we do it heartily as unto thee, with a single eye to thy 
glory, and a humble dependence on thy fatherly protec- 
tion. 

Enlighten our understanding; control our wills; and 
sanctify our affections. Preserve us, that neither the 
pleasures, nor the cares, nor the honours of this life, 
turn away our thoughts from the life which is to come. 
May we learn and labour daily to live above the world; 
and to follow all our occupations in it with a heavenly 
mind. 

Enable us faithfully to discharge our several duties 
to thee and to our fellow-creatures; that we may be useful 
in our generation among men, and steadfast in our co- 
venant with thee. Having had much forgiven of thee, 
may we love thee much, and strive to please thee in all 
our ways. 

And grant that nothing may ever separate between us 
and thee, by causing us to grow weary of thy service. 
But may we keep thy covenant for ever; and think upon 
thy commandments to do them, finding thy yoke easy, 
and thy burden light; yea, accounting thy service per- 
fect freedom, and the very joy of our heart. 

Lord, we pray thee that thy grace may always attend 



FIFTH WEEK. 195 

us, and make us continually to be given to all good 
works. 

We desire to offer up our unfeigned thanksgivings 
for the good which thou mayest already have wrought 
in us, and for every mercy which thou hast vouchsafed 
to our bodies and our souls. Day by day we give thanks 
unto thee, and praise thy name. 

Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good 
will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we 
worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks unto thee, 
for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God 
the Father Almighty. 

We beseech thee, O Lord, to embrace with the arms 
of thy mercy, not only ourselves, but all who partake of 
our fallen nature. Pity and convert the wicked. May 
they no longer make a mock at sin, but learn to tremble 
at that wrath which thou hast revealed against all un- 
godliness and unrighteousness of men, fearing thee, 
who art able to destroy both body and soul in hell. 
Give them grace to stand in awe of thy judgments, and 
to sin no more. 

Bless thy faithful people with knowledge and good 
understanding in the ways of godliness: and let not the 
children of this world be wiser in their generation than 
the children of light. 

And since many are the afflictions of the righteous, 
Lord, remember them, and all their troubles; yea, may 
they be had before thee in everlasting remembrance. 
Though troubled on every side, let them not be dis- 
tressed; though perplexed, let them not be in despair; 
though persecuted, let them not be forsaken; though 
cast down, let them not be destroyed. In all their af- 
flictions be thou afflicted; and let the angel of thy pre- 
sence save them. In thy love, and in thy pity, do thou 
redeem them; and bear them, and carry them, as in the 
days of old. 

Grant that every affliction, though not for the present 
joyous, but grievous, may yield the peaceable fruits of 
righteousness to such as are exercised thereby. 

And do thou bring them, at the last, to that place of 
rest and peace, where thou wilt wipe away all tears 
from their faces; where there shall be no more sorrow, 



196 FIFTH WEEK. 

nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain; and 
the former things shall pass away. 

Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplica- 
tions and prayers; and dispose the way of thy servants 
towards the attainment of everlasting salvation; that, 
among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, 
we may ever be defended by thy most gracious and 
ready help, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Our Father, Sec. 



WEDNESDAY EVENING. Cotterill. 

O Lord, thou hast been our refuge from one gene- 
radon to another. Before the mountains were brought 
forth, or ever the earth and the worlds were made, thou 
art God from everlasting, and world without end. 

Upon thy mercy-seat in the heavens thou waitest to 
be gracious; and we, thy sinful creatures, draw nigh 
unto thee, as unto a God in Christ, reconciling the 
world unto thyself, not imputing their trespasses unto 
them. 

We trust, O Lord, to the word of thy promise, that 
though we have sinned, we have an Advocate with thee, 
Jesus Christ the righteous, who is the propitiation for 
our sins; and not for ours only, but for the sins of the 
whole world. 

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, 
and the truth is not in us; but if we confess our sins, 
thou art faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to 
cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

We pray thee, therefore, to create and make in us 
new and contrite hearts; that we, worthily lamenting 
our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may 
obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission 
and forgiveness. Regard us no longer as children of 
wrath, but as dear children; heirs of the kingdom of 
heaven, and joint-heirs with Christ. Satisfy us with 
thy mercy, and that soon, that we may rejoice and be 
glad in thee all our days. 

Grant us, according to the riches of thy glory, to be 
strengthened with might, by thy Spirit, in the inner 
man. Let Christ dwell in our hearts by faith, that, be- 



FIFTH WEEK, 197 

ing rooted and grounded in love, we may be able to 
comprehend, with all saints, what is the breadth, and 
length, and depth, and height; and to know the love 
of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that we may be 
filled with all the fulness of thee our God. 

Thou hast brought and defended us, O heavenly Fa- 
ther, through the dangers of another day; and hast 
blessed us with every needful blessing, in our going out 
and coming in. 

But, we beseech thee, O God of the spirits of all flesh, 
in whom alone we live, and move, and have our being, 
to touch our hearts with the solemn and affecting truth, 
that we know not what shall be on the morrow. Keep 
us constantly mindful, that in the midst of life we are in 
death. Of whom may we seek for succour but of thee, 
O Lord, who, for our sins, art justly displeased? Yet, 
O Lord God, most holy, O Lord, most mighty, O holy 
and merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal, 
suffer us not, at our last hour, for any pains of death to 
fall from thee. 

Give ear, O Lord, to our prayers for our fellow-crea- 
tures. 

Put the ungodly in fear, that they may know them- 
selves to be but men. Incline them seriously to think 
on their ways, and turn their feet unto thy testimonies. 

Let all those who trust in thee rejoice; because their 
redemption draweth nigh; and their salvation is near- 
er than when they first believed. 

Be gracious unto such as, in this transitory world, 
are suffering, either for their sins or for righteousness' 
sake; and sanctify their sufferings to the good of their 
souls. 

Lastly, we pray thee, Almighty God, with whom do 
live the spirits of just men made perfect, after they are 
delivered from their earthly prisons, to look with com- 
passion on all whom the sorrows of death are encom- 
passing about. We commend their souls into thy hands, 
as into the hands of a faithful Creator and most merci- 
ful Saviour; humbly beseeching thee, that they may be 
precious in thy sight. Wash them in the blood of that 
spotless Lamb that was slain to take away the sins of 
the world, that they may be presented pure, and with- 
out spot before thee. 

r2 



198 FIFTH WEEK. 

And teach us who survive, in every daily spectacle of 
mortality, to remember how frail and uncertain our own 
condition is; and so to number our days that we may 
apply our hearts unto wisdom. Grant that neither the 
splendour of any thing that is great, nor the conceit of 
any thing that is good in us, may withdraw our eyes 
from looking upon ourselves as sinful dust and ashes: 
but that we may press forward to the prize of the high 
calling that is before us, in faith and patience, humility 
and meekness, mortification and self-denial, charity and 
constant perseverance unto the end; and all this for thy 
Son, our Lord Jesus Christ's sake: to whom, with thee 
and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world 
without end. 

Our Father, &x. 



THURSDAY MORNING. Cotterill. 

Almighty God, whose eyes run to and fro through- 
out all the earth, we adore and magnify thee, as the au- 
thor of all our blessings, and the source of all our hap- 
piness. 

Every good gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, 
and cometh down from thee, the Father of lights, with 
whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 

Thou preservest to us our life and health, our food 
and raiment, our friends and benefactors, our private 
and public blessings, the means of grace, and the hope 
of glory. Thou art worthy of our highest adoration, 
our liveliest gratitude, and our most unfeigned praise. 

But wherewithal shall we come before thee? And 
how shall we give unto thee the honour due unto thy 
name? All that we have is unworthy of thy regard; 
and our best returns serve only to remind us, how gra- 
cious thou art in receiving them. Not for our sakes, O 
Lord, not for our sakes, dost thou continue to bless us 
from day to day, and permit us to come into thy pre- 
sence; but because thou delightest in mercy; because 
thy goodness is from everlasting to everlasting; and be- 
cause, above all, thou hast respect unto the sacrifice of 
thy beloved Son, who gave himself a ransom for our 
souls. 



FIFTH WEEK. 199 

For his sake, O Lord, continue to us all our blessings; 
and be gracious unto us, even as thou art wont. Grant 
that the number of thy mercies, in Christ Jesus may 
ever triumph over the multitude of our sins; and that 
our supplications and praises, stained as they are 
with imperfection and defilement, may, through his 
most precious blood shedding, daily enter with accept- 
ance into thy ears, O Lord of hosts. 

In his all-prevailing name we beseech thee to look 
down upon us in compassion this morning. Let thy 
thoughts towards us be thoughts of peace, and not of 
evil. 

As thou hast kept us from the terror by night, and 
from the pestilence that walketh in darkness, so may it 
please thee to save us from the arrow that flieth by day, 
and from the destruction that wasteth at noon. 

O merciful Father, that despisest not the sighing of 
a contrite heart, nor the desire of such as be sorrowful, 
mercifully assist our prayers that we make before thee, 
in all our troubles and adversities, whensoever they op- 
press us; and graciously hear us, that those evils which 
the craft and subtlety of the devil or man worketh 
against us, be brought to nought, and by the providence 
of thy goodness they may be dispersed, that we, thy ser- 
vants, being hurt by no persecutions, may evermore 
give thanks unto thee, and praise thy holy name. 

Enable us to pass this day, and all our days, in thy 
faith and fear. 

Preserve us, that our minds be not overcharged with 
the cares of this life. 

Make us humble in prosperity; and patient and thank- 
ful in the time of adversity. 

Suffer us not to be occupied in ungodly works with 
the men that work wickedness. Let us not do the things 
that please them, and so become partakers of their sins. 
But give us grace to set our face as a rock against sin, 
and vanity, and every appearance of evil; and let not 
our hearts be inclined to any evil thing, but only to 
that which pleaseth thee. 

Thou hast showed us, O Lord, what is good, and 
what thou requirest of us. Help us to obey thy com- 
mandment, to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk 
humbly with thee, our God. And, having received how 



200 FIFTH WEEK. 

we ought to walk and please thee, may we abound more 
and more. Vouchsafe, we beseech thee, continually to 
direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies 
in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy com- 
mandments; that through thy most mighty protection, 
both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and 
soul. 

O thou God of kingdoms, and Lord of heaven and 
earth, give thy blessing to all nations; especially to that 
in which thou hast cast our lot. 

We are, indeed, a sinful people, laden with iniquity; 
and it is entirely of thy mercies that we have not been 
consumed. But continue, we pray thee, to spare and 
bless us; and grant that all thy goodness towards us 
may lead us to repentance. Be thou our God, and may 
we be thy people; that all the world may know that 
thou art our Defender and Almighty Deliverer. 

Bless the neighbourhood in which we dwell, and the 
families with whom we are more immediately connect- 
ed. May they be taught of thee to be kindly affection- 
ed one toward another; and to dwell together in peace 
and love, and do thou, the God of peace and love, be 
with them now and evermore. 

We further pray thee to shed thy favour and blessing 
upon this family. Increase our love to thee, and to 
each other; and make it our delight thus to meet before 
thy throne, to offer up our prayers and praises, through 
Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. 

Our Father, &c. 



THURSDAY EVENING. Cotterill. 

Almighty and everlasting Lord God, the Creator of 
the ends of the earth, that faintest not, neither art weary, 
whose mercy endureth forever, who is a God like unto 
thee, that pardonest iniquity, that passest by the trans- 
gression of thy heritage; and retainest not thy anger 
forever, because thou delightest in mercy? 

When we call to remembrance the days that are gone, 
from our youth up even until now, and consider how 
many of them have been spent in forgetfulness of thee, 
innumerable sorrows might well encompass us; and our 



FIFTH WEEK. 201 

sins take such hold upon us, that we should not be able 

i to look up. Seeing they are more in number than the 

J hairs of our head, our hearts might well fail because of 
them, did we not know that thy compassions fail not. 

, We have abundant cause, O Lord, to remember and 

! to be confounded, and never to open our mouth any 
more because of our shame, even though thou shouldst 

I be pacified towards us for all that we have done. 

! We therefore bless thee for Jesus, the Mediator of the 
new covenant; through whom we hope to be justified 

; from all things, from which we could not be justified 

i by any righteousness of our own. 

We adore and magnify thy name, O Father of mer- 

i cies, and God of all consolation, for having called us 
with a holy calling, not according to our works, but 
according to thy own purpose and grace, given us in 
Christ Jesus before the world began; whom having not 
seen, we love; and in whom, though we see him not, yet 
believing, we may rejoice with joy unspeakable and full 
of glory. 

O for a song of praise! for a psalm of everlasting 
thanksgiving unto thee, the God of our salvation! O 
Lamb of God, worthy art thou that wast slain; for thou 
hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood! Worthy art 
thou that wast slain, to receive power, and riches, and_ 
wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and bless- 

iing. 

Teach us, O Lord, to live, day by day, in humble de- 

j pendence on thy promises, in cheerful obedience to thy 
laws, and in a sure and certain hope of a blessed im- 
mortality. 

Keep us, we beseech thee, with thy perpetual mercy; 
and because the frailty of man, without thee, cannot but 
fall, keep us ever by thy help from all things hurtful, 
and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation. 

From all our enemies, temporal and spiritual, defend 
us, O Christ. 

In all time of our tribulation, in all time of our pros- 
perity, in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment, 
good Lord deliver us. 

Grant that, being received for thy own children by 
adoption, and being incorporated into thy holy church, 
we may receive the fulness of thy grace, and ever re- 



202 FIFTH WEEK. 

main in the number of thy faithful children; and finally, 
with the residue of thy people, may be made partakers 
of thy heavenly kingdom. 

Preserve us, especially, from all the evils to which 
we may be exposed this night. Graciously give thy 
angels charge concerning us, to pitch their tents around 
our beds: and grant that our friends, our neighbours, 
and all who are dear to us, may be brought in safety to 
the beginning of another day. 

As often as we are about to lie down on the bed of 
sleep, help us to look forward to that sleep in the dust 
of the earth, from which all shall awake at the last, 
some to everlasting life, and some to shame and ever- 
lasting contempt. 

And may we be found meet in that day, to join in 
that glorious song which thou hast prepared for those 
who wait for thy appearing: "Lo! this is our God: 
we have waited for him, and he will save us. This is 
the Lord; we will rejoice and be glad in his salvation." 

Almighty and everlasting God, who dost govern all 
things in heaven and earth, mercifully hear these our 
supplications; and grant us thy peace all the days of our 
life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

Our Father, &c. 



FRIDAY MORNING. Cotterill. 

Almighty God, whose ears are always open to the 
petitions of thy humble servants, unto thee do we lift 
up our souls. We would seek thee whilst thou mayest 
be found; and call upon thee whilst thou art near. 

Dispose us ever to direct our prayer unto thee, and to 
look up; and, daily, at thy footstool, to wait for thy 
blessing, more than they who watch for the morning, 
yea, more than they who watch for the morning. 

Let every day begin with thee. For thou, O Lord, art 
a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, 
and plenteous in goodness and truth. How precious 
are thy thoughts which are to us ward! 

Thou hast protected us during the hours of dark- 
ness; for the darkness is no darkness with thee; but the 
night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light to 



FIFTH WEEK. 203 

thee are both alike. We have slept and awoke, and are 
still with thee. Thou art a God at hand, and not afar 
off; and none can hide themselves in secret places, 
where thou canst not see them. 

Whither shall we go from thy Spirit? And whither 
shall we flee from thy presence? If we ascend up into 
heaven, thou art there; if we go down to hell, thou art 
there also. If we should take the wings of the morn- 
ing, and remain in the uttermost parts of the sea, even 
there would thy hand lead us, and thy right hand hold 
us. 

We humble ourselves before thee for the sins which 
thy all-seeing eyes have beheld in the course of our 
lives. Very grievous are they, O Lord, and more than 
iwe are able to express; and not one of them is forgotten 
before thee. If thou shouldst be extreme to mark what 
is done amiss ? O Lord, who may abide it? We confess 
that our hearts cannot endure, nor our hands be strong, 
in that day when thou shalt deal with us, if thou deal 
'with us according to our sins, and reward us accord- 
ing to our iniquities. 

But, we beseech thee, O Lord, deal not thus with thy 
servants. Blot out the hand-writing that is against us; 
and take it out of the way, nailing it to the cross of thy 
beloved Son. Grant unto us redemption through his 
blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the 
riches of thy grace. May we be washed; may we be 
sanctified; may we be justified, in the name of the Lord 
Jesus, and by thy Spirit, O Lord God. 

Let a sense of thy presence abide with us this day. 
May we set thee always before us, remembering that 
thou, O God, seest us. And since unto thee all hearts 
are open, all desires known, and from thee no secrets 
are hid; cleanse, we beseech thee, the thoughts of our 
hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit; that we 
may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy 
name. 

And while we acknowledge thee in all our ways, do 
thou in mercy direct our paths. As thou didst vouch- 
safe to lead thy people Israel in safety through the wil- 
derness, going before them by day in a pillar of cloud, 
and in a pillar of fire by night; so be thou mercifully 
pleased to lead and protect us in the way in which we 



204 FIFTH WEEK. 

should go. Stand continually at our right hand, that we 
may not be moved. Strengthen us with the Holy Ghost, 
the Comforter; and daily increase in us, thy manifold 
gifts of grace; the spirit of wisdom and understanding, 
the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of know- 
ledge and true piety; and fill us, O Lord, with thy holy 
fear, now and evermore. 

We beseech thee, also, O Lord, to give unto our fel- 
low-creatures a due reverence of thy holy presence. 

May the ungodly remember that thou knowest their 
manifold transgressions; and that there is no darkness, 
or shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may 
hide their heads. 

May those who have hitherto been deceiving them- 
selves or others, with vain professions of religion, be 
brought to see that they cannot deceive thee ; and so 
may be led to seek thee in truth and sincerity. 

O Lord, we beseech thee, let thy continual pity cleanse 
and defend thy church; and because it cannot continue 
in safety without thy succour, preserve it evermore by 
thy help and goodness. 

Let thy presence comfort and support thy afflicted 
people: and be a refuge to them in all their troubles. 

Furthermore, we pray thee to dwell in the hearts of 
all who are near and dear to us; and to make them a 
holy temple in the Lord, the habitation of thy blessed 
Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Saviour and Redeemer. 

Our Father, Sec. 



FRIDAY EVENING. Cotterill. 

Almighty and immortal God, the aid of all that need, 
the helper of all that flee to thee for succour, the life of 
them that believe, and the resurrection of the dead, re- 
ceive us, as thou hast promised by thy well-beloved Son, 
saying, Ask, and ye shall have; seek, and ye shall find; 
knock, and it shall be opened unto you. So give now unto 
us that ask; let us that seek, find; open the gate unto us 
that knock, that we may enjoy the everlasting benedic- 
tion of thy heavenly grace, and may come to the eter- 
nal kingdom which thou hast promised by Christ, our 
Lord. 



FIFTH WEEK. 205 

We draw nigh unto thee in his great name, trusting 
to thy word, that whosoever believeth in thy beloved 
Son shall be saved. And we beseech thee to grant, that 
we may come unto him this night, weary and heavy 
laden with the burden of our sins, and may thus find 
rest to our souls. 

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so great 
let thy mercy be towards us. Far as the east is from the 
west, so far do thou remove our transgressions from us. 
Yea, like as an earthly father pitieth his children, so do 
thou, our heavenly Father, pity and have mercy upon 
us. Adopt us into thy family; take away our guilt; 
accept our persons; and reconcile us unto thyself, 
through the blood of thy beloved Son. 

We pray thee, also, O Lord, to show unto us more of 
the evil of sin, that we may know more of thy wonder- 
ful grace and mercy in pardoning it; and more of the 
loving kindness of God our Saviour, in dying to redeem 
us from it. 

O the depths of the riches of thy wisdom, thy know- 
ledge, and thy love! Thou, O God, the merciful and 
gracious Lord, hast so done thy marvellous works that 
they ought to be had in remembrance. Thou hast sent 
redemption unto thy people; thou hast commanded thy 
covenant for ever; holy and reverend is thy name. It 
is a good thing to give thanks unto thee, O Lord; and 
to sing praises unto thy name, O thou, Most Highest; 
to show forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and 
thy faithfulness every night. We, thy unworthy ser- 
vants, therefore, do give thee most humble and hearty 
thanks for all thy goodness and loving kindness to us 
and to all men. We bless thee for our creation, pre- 
servation, and all the blessings of this life; but, above 
all, for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the 
world, by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of 
grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we beseech 
thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our 
hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we may 
show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our 
lives, by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walk- 
ing before thee in holiness and righteousness all our 
days, through Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom, with 

s 



206 FIFTH WEEK. 

thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world 
without end. 

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to hear our prayers for those 
whom it is our duty and our desire to remember at the 
throne of grace. 

May it please thee to bring into the way of truth all 
such as have erred, and are deceived. 

May it please thee to defend and bless all who are in 
authority; to rule their hearts in thy faith, fear, and 
love, and ever seek thy honour and glory. 

May it please thee to guide and protect our magis- 
trates, that they may be a terror to evil doers, and for 
the praise of them that do well. 

May it please thee to illuminate all the ministers of 
thy blessed gospel with true knowledge and under- 
standing of thy word ; and that, both by their preach- 
ing and living, they may set it forth and show it ac- 
cordingly. 

May it please thee to bless the faithful in Christ 
Jesus, and to give them grace to continue faithful unto 
death. 

May it please thee to bless the rising generation, es- 
pecially the generation of those that seek thee, and of 
all our kindred, friends, and neighbours. Grant that 
our children, as they grow in stature, may grow in wis- 
dom and in grace, and in favour with thee and man: 
and thus may become thy sons and daughters, O Lord 
Almighty. 

Finally, may it please thee to stand at the right hand 
of the poor and destitute, and to be unto them a tower 
of strength against all their enemies. 

Grant, O Lord, these our petitions, through the me- 
rits of Jesus Christ our Saviour^ who liveth and reign - 
eth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, 
world without end. 

Our Father, 8cc. 



SATURDAY MORNING. Bp.Bloomfield. 

Almighty and most merciful Father, who, for our 
many sins committed against thee, mightest most just- 
ly have cut us off in the midst of our days, we humbly 



FIFTH WEEK. 207 

thank thee, that in the multitude of thy mercies- thou 
hast hitherto spared us. 

Accept, we beseech thee, our unfeigned sorrow for 
our past transgressions; and grant that we may never 
so presume upon thy mercy, as to despise the riches of 
thy goodness: but let a sense of thy forbearance and 
long-suffering work in us repentance and amendment of 
life, to thy honour and glory, and to our final accept- 
ance in the last day, through the merits of our Saviour 
Jesus Christ. 

Keep alive in us, O Lord, a true spirit of devotion; 
and preserve us from the great sin of praying to thee 
with our lips only, and not with our heart and mind. 

Convince us of our entire dependence upon thee; 
quicken us in the pursuit of things eternal; that we 
may continually press forward to obtain the prize of 
our high calling in Christ Jesus. 

Dispose us, we beseech thee, rightly to discharge the 
duties of this day. Watch over our path; compass us 
about with thy favour; preserve us in our going out 
and coming in; and direct all our steps in the way of 
thy commandments. 

Make us truly honest and conscientious in all our 
dealings; diligent in the performance of our duty; in- 
nocent in our conversation; meek, charitable, and for- 
giving towards others; watchful over ourselves, and 
ever mindful of thy presence. 

Sanctify unto us our crosses and afflictions, if it be 
thy good pleasure to afflict us: and give us such a mea- 
sure of patience and godly resolution, that we may be 
willing to take up our cross daily, and to follow the 
Lamb, whithersoever he goeth. 

O Lord, if we have now asked any thing amiss, we pray 
thee pardon our ignorance and infirmity; and whatso- 
ever is good for us, even if we ask it not, be pleased to 
grant to us, in the name and for the sake of thy dear 
Son Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. 

Our Father, &c. 



208 FIFTH WEEK. 

SATURDAY EVENING. H. More. 

In an humble acknowledgment of our manifold sins 
and iniquities, which we from time to time, and more 
especially this day, have committed against thee, both 
in thought, word, and deed, we now prostrate ourselves 
before thee, O Lord of heaven and earth, beseeching 
thee, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Lord and 
Saviour, to be merciful unto us. Forgive us, O Lord, 
that we have not rendered unto thee according to thy 
mercy and loving kindness; that we have been forget- 
ful and disobedient, and have sinned against heaven, 
and in thy sight. Let thy Holy Spirit sanctify us 
throughout, and give us more and more grace and 
strength, whereby we may be enabled to subdue all our 
sinful and corrupt affections; grant that we may im- 
prove the remainder of our clays with all possible care, 
and give all diligence to make our calling and election 
sure, that we may so persevere therein unto death, that 
at last we may attain everlasting life. 

Accept our praises and thanksgivings for all thy 
mercies vouchsafed us in this life, and for the hopes of 
a better. And now that we are going to take our rest 
and sleep, let us consider that thou, Lord, only makest 
us to dwell in safety; whether we sleep or wake, live 
Or die, let us be found thine own, to thy eternal glory, 
and our everlasting salvation, through Jesus Christ. 

O our God, another week has just passed away, and 
we are still in the land of the living, while so many of 
our fellow creatures have passed from time into eter- 
nity. Blessed be God for the continuance of life and 
health, and for prolonged opportunities of preparing for 
death and judgment! 

O gracious God, let not this continuance of mercy 
increase our condemnation, by encouraging us to com- 
mit sin, because hitherto thine anger has been withheld 
from falling upon us. Let us not treasure up wrath 
unto ourselves against the day of wrath; but teach us 
to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto 
wisdom. 

Prepare us, most blessed God, by sleep and rest, to 
take our part in the duties of the sabbath to-morrow. 
Give us that sense of sin which leads to a full confes- 



FIFTH WEEK. 209 

sion of its guilt, and to faith in the atonement of Christ 
for its pardon. Give us that adoring gratitude for all 
thy mercies, more especially for the great mercy of a 
Saviour, which may incline us to praise thee with joy- 
ful lips. Give us that sense of the value of our souls, 
and of the greatness of thy salvation, which may lead 
us to seek life and mercy with all our hearts. O let not 
the coming Sabbath be defectively used, like those 
which are passed; but let it be so improved, by public 
and private means of grace, as to advance our meetness 
for the service of that eternal Sabbath that remaineth 
for the people of God; through the merit and media- 
tion of Jesus Christ. 
Our Father, &c. 



s 2 



PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 



PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 



LAST EVENING OF THE OLD YEAR. Jay. 

O God, thou hast been our refuge and dwelling place 
in all generations; before the mountains were brought 
forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, 
even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. A 
thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when 
it is past, and as a watch in the night. But as for man, 
his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he 
fiourisheth; for the wind passeth over it, and it is gone, 
and the place thereof knoweth it no more. 

We appear before thee, to close in thy presence, 
another of the revolutions of our fleeting existence; 
earnestly praying that the season may not pass away, 
without suitable and serious reflections. We know that 
our life is a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and 
then vanisheth away; we know the frailty of our frame, 
and the numberless diseases and disasters to which we 
are exposed — so teach us to number our days that we 
may apply our hearts unto wisdom. 

What numbers of our fellow creatures have, during 
the past year, been carried down to their long home — 
but we have been preserved; and are living to praise 
thee this day. Blessed be the God of salvation, to whom 
belong the issues from death, that we are yet in the re- 
gions of hope, that we have yet an accepted time, and a 
day of salvation; and that our opportunity of doing 
good, as well as of gaining good, are still prolonged. 1 

Thou hast commanded us to remember all the way, 



PRAYERS, &C. 211 

which thou hast led us in the wilderness. The scene of 
our journeying has indeed been a wilderness; but the 
hand that has conducted us is divine; and a thousand 
privileges have been experienced in it. 

Thou hast corrected us, but it is of the Lord's mer- 
cies we are not consumed. 

We have had our afflictions, but how few have they 
been in number; how short in continuance; how alle- 
viated in degree; how merciful in design; how in- 
structive and useful in their results. 

Thou hast not dealt with us after our sins, neither 
hast thou rewarded us according to our iniquities. 

But O what a series of bounties and blessings, present 
themselves to our minds, when we look back upon the 
year through which we have passed: and to what, but to 
thine unmerited goodness in the Son of thy love, are we 
indebted for all. Health, strength, food, raiment, resi- 
dence, friends, relations, comfort, pleasure, hope, use- 
fulness, — all our benefits have dropped from thy gra- 
cious hand; and there has not been a day, or an hour, 
or a moment, but has published thy kindness and thy 
care. 

Especially would we acknowledge thy goodness, in 
continuing to us the means of grace. Whatever has 
been denied us, we have had the provisions of thy house. 
The toils and trials of the week, have been refreshed 
and relieved by the delights of the Sabbath. Our eyes 
have seen our teachers. Our ears have heard the joyful 
sound of the gospel; and our hearts have often said, 
Lord, it is good for us to be here, 

* And we especially praise thy name, O thou God of 
grace for all the success which has attended the means 
of grace. We thank thee that thy Holy Spirit has been 
sent down upon thy churches. We praise thee that thy 
grace has been imparted to any to comfort the discon- 
solate; to strengthen the feeble; to support the dying. 
We bless thee that the preached gospel has been at- 
tended with success; and that the reviving influences of 
thy Holy Spirit have been felt in our land. We thank 
thee for all the mild and benignant influences of our 
holy religion upon the nation amid whom we live; and 
that the inestimable blessings of liberty, peace, prospe- 
rity, and education, are still continued with us. And 



212 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

we give praise to thy name that thou hast remembered, 
thy promises to thy church — that thou hast extended 
its cords, and strengthened its stakes— that thou hast 
excited thy people to the great work of spreading thy 
gospel among the nations — and hast crowned their ef- 
forts with so cheering success.* 

And O, that every moment of the past year could, if 
called upon — and it will be called upon, bear witness to 
our gratitude, love and obedience. O, that it was not 
in its power to convict us, of the most unworthy re- 
quitals of thy goodness. To thee, O Lord, belong glory 
and honour, but to us shame and confusion of face. O, 
who can understand his errors. O how many duties 
have we neglected or improperly performed. How lit- 
tle have we redeemed our time; or improved our talents. 
How little have we been alive to thy glory, or sought, or 
even seized, when presented, opportunities of serving 
our generation. How unprofited have we been under 
the richest means of religious prosperity — and, when 
for the time we ought to be able to teach others, we need 
to be again taught ourselves, what are the first princi- 
ples of the oracles of God. 

God, be merciful to us sinners. Pardon our iniquity, 
for it is great. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness; 
and work in us to will and to do of thy good pleasure. 
Let us not carry one of our old sins with us into the 
new year — unforgiven — unrepented of — unbewailed — 
unabhorred. With a new portion of time, may we 
have new hearts; and become new creatures. 

If this coming year we should die — and in the midst 
of life we are in death— may death prove our eternal 
gain: and if our days are prolonged., may we walk be- 
fore the Lord in the land of the living, and show forth 
all thy praise. The number of our months is with thee. 
In thy hand our breath is, and thine are all our ways. 
Prepare us for all: and be with us in all: and bring us 
safely through all, into the rest that remains for thy 
people; for the sake of our Lord and Saviour; in whose 
words we call thee, Our Father, Sec. Jlmen. 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 213 

FIRST MORNING OF THE NEW YEAR. Jay. 

O Lord, of old hast thou laid the foundation of the 
earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They 
shall perish, but thou shalt endure; yea, all of them shall 
wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change 
them, and they shall be changed; but thou art the same, 
and thy years shall have no end. We desire, O God, 
with the profoundest reverence to contemplate the eter- 
nity of thy nature. May our minds be filled with ele- 
vation and grandeur, at the thought of a Being with 
whom one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand 
years as one day; a Being, who, amidst all the revolu- 
tions of empire, and the lapse of ages, feels no variable- 
ness nor shadow of turning. How glorious, with im- 
mortality attached to them, are all thy attributes; and 
how secure are the hopes and happiness of all those 
who know thy name and put their trust in thee. 

May we rejoice, that while men die, the Lord liveth; 
that while all creatures are found broken reeds and 
broken cisterns, he is the Rock of ages, and the Foun- 
tain of living waters. O that we may turn away our 
hearts from vanity; and among all the uncertainties of 
the present state, look after an interest in that everlast- 
ing covenant, which is ordered in all things and sure. 
May we seek after an union with thyself, as the strength 
of our heart, and our portion forever, for thou hast as- 
sured us that while the world passeth away, and the 
lusts thereof, he that doeth the will of God, abideth 
for ever. 

We thank thee that thou hast revealed to us the way 
in which a fallen and perishing sinner can be eternally 
united to thyself; and that Jesus is the way, the truth, 
and the life. In his name we come; O, receive us gra- 
ciously; justify us freely; renew us in the spirit of our 
minds; and bless us with all spiritual blessings in hea- 
venly places in Christ. 

By the lapse of our days, and weeks, and years, which 
we are called upon so often to remark, may we be re- 
minded how short our life is, and how soon we shall 
close our eyes on every prospect below the sun; and,0, 
suffer us not to neglect the claims of eternity, in the pur- 



214 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

suit of the trifles of time; but knowing how frail we are, 
may we be wise enough to choose that good part which 
shall not be taken away from us; and before we leave 
the present evil world, may we secure an inheritance in 
another and a better. May thoughts of death and eter- 
nity so impress our minds, as to put seriousness into 
our prayers, and vigour into our resolutions; may they 
loosen us from an undue attachment to things seen and 
temporal; so that we may weep as though we wept 
not; and rejoice as if we rejoiced not. 

And remembering that the present life, so short, so 
uncertain — and so much of which is already vanished, 
is the only opportunity we shall ever have for useful- 
ness, may we be concerned to redeem the time. May we 
be alive and awake at every call of charity and piety. 
May we feed the hungry, and clothe the naked; may we 
instruct the ignorant; reclaim the vicious; forgive the 
offending; diffuse the gospel; and consider one another 
to provoke one another unto love and good works, not 
forsaking the assembling ourselves together as the 
manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so 
much the more as we see the day approaching. 

As we have entered on a new period of life, may we 
faithfully examine ourselves, to see what has been 
amiss in our former temper or conduct; and in thy 
strength, may we resolve to correct it. And may we 
inquire for the future — with a full determination to re- 
duce our knowledge to practice. Lord, what wilt thou 
have me to do? 

Prepare us for all the duties of the ensuing year. 
All the wisdom and strength necessary for the per- 
formance of them must come from thyself; may we, 
therefore, live a life of self-distrust, of divine depen- 
dence, and of prayer; may we ask and receive, that 
our joy may be full; may we live in the spirit, and walk 
in the spirit. 

If we are indulged with prosperity, O, let not our 
prosperity destroy us, or injure us. If we are exer- 
cised with adversity, suffer us not to sink in the hour of 
trouble, or sin against God. May we know how to be 
abased, without despondence; and to abound without 
pride. If our relative comforts are continued to us, 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 215 

I may we love them without idolatry, and hold them at 
thy disposal; and if they are recalled from us, may we 
be enabled to say, the Lord gave, and the Lord hath 
taken away; and blessed be the name of the Lord. 

Fit us for all events. We know not what a day may 
bring forth,* but we encourage ourselves in the Lord 
our God, and go forward. Thou hast been thus far 
our helper* thou hast promised to be with us in every 
condition; thou hast engaged to make all things work 
together for good; all thy ways are mercy and truth. 
May we, therefore, be careful for nothing, but in every 
thing, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, 
may we make known our requests unto God; and may 
the peace of God that passeth all understanding, keep 
our hearts and minds, through Christ Jesus. 

Bless, O bless the young; may each of them, this 
day, hear thee, saying, my son give me thy heart; 
and, from this time, may they cry unto thee, as the 
guide of their youth. Regard those who have reached 
the years, wherein they say, we have no pleasure in 
them. If old in sin, may they be urged to embrace, 
before it be for ever too late, the things that belong to 
their peace; and if old in grace, uphold them with thy 
free Spirit, and help them to remember, that now is 
their salvation nearer than when they believed. 

Bless all the dear connexions attached to us by na- 
ture, friendship or religion. Grace be to them; and 
peace be multiplied. 

Let our country share thy protection and smiles 
! Bless all our rulers and magistrates. 

*We commend to thee, most merciful Father, the in- 
terests of thy church in the advancing year. Not know- 
ing that it will be thy good pleasure to keep us in the 
land of the living, yet we pray that thou wilt regard 
with special favour thy holy church; and smile conti- 
nually upon Zion. Give grace to thy ministers that 
they may preach thy gospel with simplicity, power, 
and success. Bless all Sunday schools. And may thy 
Spirit be given to enlighten all Sunday school teach- 
ers, and to sanctify all Sunday school scholars. May 
thy Holy Spirit descend upon the churches. Let pure 
and undefiled religion prevail in all the congregations 
of thy people. May sinners be converted in great num- 



216 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

bers to thyself; and may this year be distinguished by 
great and successful efforts to spread the gospel through 
this land, and through all the world. Smile, O gra- 
cious God, on all missionaries of the cross; and amid 
all their labours and sufferings, and privations, do thou 
sustain them. Let not thy people faint, and grow wea- 
ry in this work; and during the advancing year, grant, 
we beseech thee, that the power of thy gospel may be 
felt in all lands, and soon may the whole family of man 
be brought under the saving power of divine truth.* 

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy 
name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as 
it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and 
forgive us 01 r trespasses as we forgive those that tres- 
pass against us; and lead us not into temptation; but 
deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, the 
power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 



FOR CHRISTMAS-DAY. Cotterill. 

MORNING. 

Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
we humbly beseech thee to accept our hearty thanks for 
the manifold mercies which thou hast poured upon us. 

We bless thee, especially, for sending thy well be- 
loved Son, to take our nature upon him, and to be made 
in the likeness of sinful flesh. 

We rejoice that unto us a Child is born; that unto 
us a Son is given. And we would join the multitude 
of the heavenly host, in ascribing glory to thee in the 
highest; peace on earth; good will toward men. 

We praise thee for revealing to us the way in which 
mercy and truth have met together; in which righte- 
ousness and peace have kissed each other. And we ac- 
count it a faithful saying, and worthy of all accepta- 
tion, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sin- 
ners. 

Help us, O Lord, to employ this day in meditating on 
this great mystery of godliness, God manifest in the 
flesh, which thy holy angels desire to look into. 

And as, when thou didst bring thy first-begotten into 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 217 

the world, thou didst command all the heavenly host to 
worship him, so may we also give unto him the glory 
which is due unto his name. 

O thou great and glorious Redeemer, who art Won- 
derful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting 
Father, the Prince of Peace, we praise thee; we bless 
thee; we worship thee; we glorify thee; we give thanks 
to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, Lamb of God, 
the only begotten Son Jesus Christ, King of kings, and 
Lord of lords, Emmanuel, God with us. For thou 
only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O 
Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory 
of God the Father. 

But chiefly, at this time, we adore thee for leaving 
the glory which thou hadst with the Father before the 
world began. We know thy grace, O Lord Jesus 
Christ, that though thou wast rich, yet for our sakes 
thou didst become poor, that we, through thy poverty, 
might be made rich. We beseech thee, by the mystery 
of thy holy incarnation and nativity, good Lord, deliver 
us. O Son of David, have mercy upon us. Thou, 
who didst come thai we might have life, and might 
have it more abundantly, be gracious unto us. 

Thou, who wast called Jesus, that thou mightest save 
thy people from their sins, save us, and help us, we 
humbly beseech thee, O Lord. 

And give unto us grace, Almighty God, that we may 
cast away ihe works of darkness, and put upon us the 
armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in 
which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great 
humility. 

As he came not to be ministered unto, but to minis- 
ter, and hath left us an example to do unto others as he 
hath done unto us, so may we learn to take his yoke 
upon us, and to learn of him, who was meek and lowly 
in heart, that we may find rest unto our souls. Grant, 
that we, being regenerate and made thy children by 
adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holv 
Spirit, and follow the blessed steps of his most holy 
life; ever remembering that he gave himself for us, to 
redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify us unto him- 
self a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 

Vouchsafe, O Lord, thy special blessing to us this day. 



218 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

Have compassion, also, on those who have never 
heard of the coming of our blessed Lord in the flesh. 
In him who hath arisen to rule over the Gentiles, let 
the Gentiles trust, and find his rest to be glorious. 

Mercifully with thy favour look upon the whole 
Christian world. May all that name the name of Christ 
depart from iniquity. Especially preserve them from 
turning this season into an occasion of revellings and 
unholy mirth. Let them rejoice, as Christians, in 
Christ their Saviour; and let thy grace teach them to 
deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live so- 
berly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. 

And, as at thy first coming, O Lord Jesus Christ, 
thou didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way be- 
fore thee, we beseech thee, finally, to grant, that the mi- 
nisters and stewards of thy mysteries, may likewise so 
prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts 
of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; that, at 
thy second coming to judge the world, we may be 
found an acceptable people in thy sight, through Jesus 
Christ, our Lord, in whose name we further pray: — 

Our Father, &x. 



FOR CHRISTMAS-DAY. CotteriU. 

EVENING. 

O holy and merciful God, who art of purer eyes 
than to behold iniquity, and yet long-suffering towards 
sinners, we approach thy throne, acknowledging our 
unworthiness, and putting our whole trust and confi- 
dence in the promises which thou hast made unto us in 
Christ Jesus our Lord. 

We have greatly provoked thee to anger by our 
manifold offences; and, were not judgment thy strange 
work, we should long since have received at thy hands 
the just reward of our evil doings. 

But thou declarest thy almighty power most chiefly 
in showing mercy and pity. Thou hast not stretched 
forth the right hand of thy majesty to avenge thee of 
thine enemies; but with thine own arm thou hast 
wrought out redemption for us. Thou hast not sent 



FDR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 219 

thy Son into the world to condemn the world, but that 
the world through him might be saved. 

We bless thee for revealing to us this great mystery, 
which was hid from ages and generations, but is now 
made manifest unto the sons of men. We rejoice that 
unto us was born a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 
Our souls do magnify the Lord, and our spirits do re- 
joice in God our Saviour. Hosanna to the Son of David! 
Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord! 
Hosanna in the highest! 

Blessed be thou, the God of Israel, for visiting and 
redeeming thy people, and raising up a horn of salva 
tion for them; for performing the promise made unto 
their fathers, and for remembering thy holy covenant. 

Praised be thy name, for sending forth, in the fulness 
of time, thy only begotten Son, made of a woman, made 
under the law, that we might receive the adoption of 
sons. 

Glory be unto thee, for causing thy loving kindness 
towards us to appear. Not by works of righteousness 
which we have done, but according to thy mercy, thou 
hast saved us. 

O thou, who wast in Christ reconciling the world 
unto thyself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, 
forgive us all our trespasses. Through him who was 
made in the likeness of sinful flesh, and came to seek 
and to save that which was lost, have mercy upon us. 
By the mystery of his holy incarnation and nativity, 
good Lord, deliver us. 

And, since thy blessed Son was manifested that he 
might destroy the works of the devil, to make us the 
children of God and heirs of eternal life, grant, we be- 
seech thee, that having this hope, we may purify our- 
selves, even as he is pure; and that, when he shall come 
again, in power and great glory, we may be made like 
unto him, in his eternal and glorious kingdom. 

But who may abide the day of his coming? And 
who may stand when he appeareth? O thou compas- 
s'onate and faithful High Priest, partaker of our flesh 
and blood, who wast in all points tempted like as we 
are, yet without sin, and art not ashamed to call us 
brethren, have pity upon our infirmities; and grant unto 



220 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

us, that we, being delivered out of the hands of our ene- 
mies, may serve thee, without fear, in holiness and 
righteousness before thee, all the days of our life. 

Fill our hearts with love to thee for the unspeakable 
gift which thou didst vouchsafe to bestow upon a sinful 
world; and dispose us always most thankfully to re- 
ceive the same. 

Let the same mind, also, be in us, which was in Christ 
Jesus; who being in the form of God, and thinking it 
not robbery to be equal with God, yet made himself of 
no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, 
and was found in fashion as a man, a man of sorrows 
and acquainted with grief. 

Help us continually to follow the example of his 
great humility. In lowliness of mind may we esteem 
others better than ourselves. And give us grace so 
to walk in all holiness of living, that we may not be 
ashamed before him at his coming. 

We pray likewise, O heavenly Father, that, through 
thy tender mercies, the Day-Spring from on high, 
which hath visited us, may arise, and shine upon the 
nations that are sitting in darkness and in the shadow 
of death, to guide their feet into the way of peace. 

Grant that it may both be a light to lighten the Gen- 
tiles, and be the glory of thy people Israel. 

And may none of those who behold it, love darkness 
rather than light, because their deeds are evil. 

Raise up faithful and able ministers of the New Tes- 
tament, to go before the face of the Lord, to prepare 
his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people, 
by the remission of their sins. 

Pour down thy grace and heavenly benediction upon 
all who are called Christians. May the children of 
Zion be joyful in their King! And may they so truly 
follow the blessed steps of their Lord and Master, that 
they may be saved by him in the great day of his ap- 
pearing and glory. Grant this for Jesus Christ's sake, 
our only Lord and Saviour. 

Our Father, &c. 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 221 

FOR A SACRAMENT SABBATH. Cotterill. 

MORNING. 

O holy and gracious Lord God, who wilt by no 
means clear the guilty, yet sparest those who confess 
their sins unto thee, look down with compassion upon 
us, thy servants, who are now humbled before thee, 
imploring thy fatherly forgiveness. Spare us, good 
Lord, spare us, for we are miserable sinners. We can- 
not set all our transgressions in order before thee, nor 
confess them so truly as we ought to do; yet we desire 
not to cloak and dissemble them before thy face, O 
heavenly Father, trusting to thy word, that if we con- 
fess our sins, thou art faithful and just to forgive us our 
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Be 
merciful unto us, we most humbly beseech thee; for 
we put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, 
and not in any thing that we do. We have destroyed 
ourselves; but in thee is our help. Save, Lord, or we 
perish; for there is salvation in no other. To whom 
else should we go? Thou only hast the words of eter- 
nal life. Grant unto us, O Lord, we beseech thee, par- 
don and peace; that we may be cleansed from all our 
sins, and may serve thee v/ith a quiet mind. 

We praise thee, O God, for the. multitude of thy 
blessings vouchsafed unto us, particularly for the many 
opportunities which thou affordest us of becoming wise 
unto salvation. 

What shall we render unto thee this day, for all the 
benefits which thou hast done unto us? We will re- 
ceive the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of 
the Lord. We will pay our vows in the courts of thy 
house, and in the presence of all thy people. 

We give thee most humble and hearty thanks, O 
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that thou hast 
given thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, not only to 
die for us, but to be our spiritual food and sustenance 
in the holy sacrament of his body and blood. Dispose 
us religiously and devoutly to receive the same, in re- 
membrance of his meritorious cross and passion; 
whereby alone we obtain the remission of our sins, and 
are made partakers of the kingdom of heaven. Teach 
t 2 



222 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

us to consider the dignity of that holy mystery, and so 
to search and examine our own consciences, that we 
may come holy and clean to such a heavenly feast, in 
the marriage garment required by thee in holy Scrip- 
ture, and may be received as worthy partakers of that 
holy table. 

May we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and drink 
his blood! May we dwell in Christ, and Christ in us! 
May we be one with Christ, and Christ with us! And 
may his body, which was given for us, and his precious 
blood, which was shed upon the cross, preserve our 
bodies and souls unto everlasting life! 

Mercifully vouchsafe, O Lord, to extend unto all our 
fellow-creatures the inestimable benefits of Christ's suf- 
fering and death. 

Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all thy ministering 
servants, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, 
set forth thy true and lively word, and rightly and duly 
administer thy holy sacraments. And to all thy people 
give thy heavenly grace; especially to such as shall as- 
semble with us in thy holy temple, and shall come to 
the holy communion of the body and blood of our Sa- 
viour Christ. May they diligently examine themselves, 
before they eat of that bread, and drink of that cup, and 
so judge themselves, that they be not judged of thee. 
May they examine themselves, whether they repent 
truly of their former sins, steadfastly purpose to lead a 
new life, have a lively faith in thy mercies through 
Christ, with a thankful remembrance of his death, and 
be in charity with all men. And may numbers be added 
to thy church continually, of those who are willing to 
join themselves unto thee in an everlasting covenant, 
not to be forgotten. 

Pitifully behold the sorrows of those who are filled 
with groundless fears, lest they should eat and drink 
unworthily. May they hear and receive the comforta- 
ble things which Christ our Saviour saith unto all who 
truly turn unto him. May they come unto him labour- 
ing and heavy laden with the burden of their sins, and 
so find rest unto their souls. 

Finally, we beseech thee to have compassion upon 
those who shall most unthankfully refuse to come to 
thy table, though so graciously called and bidden. May 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 223 

they take heed, lest, by withdrawing themselves from 
this holy supper of their Lord, they provoke his just 
indignation against them. May they earnestly consider 
how little their excuses will avail before thee, and by 
thy grace be brought to a better mind; seriously re- 
membering, that if they eat not the flesh of the Son of 
man, and drink not his blood, they have no life in them, 
and neither part nor lot in his salvation. 

Grant this, O God of mercy, for the sake of Jesus 
Christ, our only Lord and Saviour. 

Our Father, &c. 



FOR A SACRAMENT SABBATH. CottcrUl. 

EVENING. 

Almighty God and Father, who, according to the 
multitude of thy mercies, dost so put away the sins of 
those who truly repent, that thou rememberest them no 
more, open thine eye of mercy upon us, thy servants, 
who earnestly desire thy pardon and forgiveness. Re- 
new in us, O heavenly Father, whatever hath been de- 
cayed by the fraud and malice of the devil, and by our 
own carnal will and frailty. And for as much as we 
put our full trust and confidence in thee, impute not 
unto us our manifold transgressions, but wash them 
away in the blood of thy beloved Son. Graciously 
vouchsafe to receive us to thy favour. Sanctify us and 
strengthen us by thy Holy Spirit; and at length bring 
us unto the kingdom of heaven, and to everlasting life. 

We praise thee for thy promises of forgiveness to 
those who truly turn unto thee. 

We bless thee for another day of sacred rest which 
thou hast vouchsafed unto us, and for all the blessings 
of the same. 

Above all things, we give thee most humble and 
hearty thanks for the redemption of the world by the 
death of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. May we 
always remember the exceeding great love of our Mas- 
ter and only Saviour Jesus Christ, thus dying for us, 
and the innumerable benefits which, by his precious 
blood-shedding, he hath obtained unto us, and also his 



224 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

goodness and loving-kindness in instituting and ordain- 
ing holy ordinances as pledges of his love, to our great 
and endless comfort. 

Grant that we, who have eaten and drunk in thy pre- 
sence, may receive the strengthening and refreshing of 
our souls by the body and blood of Christ. Help us to 
remember the solemn vows which we have this day 
renewed in thy presence, and in the presence of all thy 
people; and enable us truly to perform them. May we 
go forth into the world bearing about us the marks of 
a crucified Saviour. Having enlisted ourselves again 
under the banners of the Captain of our salvation, may 
we manfully fight the good fight of faith, and continue 
his faithful soldiers and servants unto our lives' end. 
Grant that we may have power and strength to have 
victory, and to triumph against the devil, and the world, 
and the flesh. May we be encouraged in our holy war- 
fare by the ensamples of the glorious company of the 
apostles, the goodly fellowship of the prophets, the 
noble army of martyrs, and of all the holy Church tri- 
umphant, who have been made more than conquerors 
through him who loved them, and bought them with 
his blood. 

As thou hast knit together thine elect in one commu- 
nion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son 
Jesus Christ, our Lord; grant us grace so to follow thy 
blessed saints in all virtuous and holy living, that we 
may enter into those unspeakable joys, which thou hast 
prepared for them that unfeignedly love thee. And 
when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to 
be admired in all them that believe, may we sit down 
with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all thy redeemed 
people, at the marriage-supper of the Lamb. 

Grant also, O Lord, we beseech thee, that those who 
have waited on thee this day in thy holy temple, and 
around thy table, may renew their spiritual strength. 

May all men see that they are thy disciples, by the 
love which they have one to another. O God, who hast 
taught us that all our doings without charity are no- 
thing worth, send thy Holy Ghost, and pour into our 
hearts that most excellent gift of love, the very bond of 
peace and of all virtues, without which whosoever liveth 
is counted dead before thee. Let there be no schism 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 225 

in the body of Christ; but let the members have the 
same care one of another, knowing, that if any sin 
against their brother, and wound his weak conscience, 
they sin against Christ. 

And since the offence of the cross is not ceased, com- 
fort and succour all those who may any ways suffer from 
love to thee and thy cause. Hide them under thy wing. 
Enable them to witness a good confession, and to give 
no just occasion to their enemies to blaspheme. By 
well doing let them put to silence the ignorance of fool- 
ish men, in meekness instructing those that oppose 
themselves, if peradventure thou mayest give them re- 
pentance to the acknowledging of the truth. 

Convert the hearts of all those who are thrusting 
away from them thy great mercies; especially of such 
as have this clay neglected thy ordinances, and turned 
aside from thy holy table. 

And, if any have there appeared before thee with un- 
clean hands and unsanctified hearts, without the mar- 
riage-garment required by thee in holy Scripture, not 
discerning the Lord's body, may they search and exa- 
mine their conscience, and repent; lest, after the taking 
of this holy sacrament, Satan enter into them as he en- 
tered into Judas, and fill them full of all iniquity, and 
bring them to destruction both of body and of soul. 

We ask these blessings in the name of Jesus Christ, 
our only Lord and Saviour. 

Our Father, &c. 



FAST DAY.— MORNING. Jenks. 

O Lord God, glorious in holiness, and of purer eyes 
than to behold any iniquity without abhorrence of it, 
and indignation against it! How shall man, sinful 
man, that drinks in iniquity like water, appear before 
thee? And how shall we, vile and frail, polluted and 
depraved as we are, show ourselves in the presence 
of such a great and wise, just and holy God, as thou 
art? When we look upon thy perfect law, and see what 
we should be, what manner of person, in all holy con- 
versation and godliness; and when we reflect on our 
own hearts and lives, and find what we are; how want- 



226 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

ing in our duty, and how contrary to that holy rule 
which thou dost prescribe to us, by which to keep our 
hearts and to order our conversation; we cannot come 
into thy presence, O Lord, without confusion of face, 
and anguish of soul, and remorse of conscience, to think 
how foolishly and wickedly we have done; and how ab- 
ject and wretched we have made ourselves. 

We have not glorified thee, O Lord, in bearing fruits 
of holiness answerable to thy revealed will, and to thy 
love; but we desire to give glory to God, in confessing 
our sins, and humbling our souls, and acknowledging 
our desert of all thy judgments; and admiring and 
magnifying the riches of that grace and mercy, which 
has spared us so long a time, and showed us such mar- 
vellous kindness still, notwithstanding all the high pro- 
vocations of our sins. With thee, our God, there is 
mercy, that thou mayest be feared; that our sins, 
though great and manifold, may be pardoned; and that 
our souls may be recovered and healed, and eternally 
saved: O help us so to judge ourselves, that we may 
not be judged of the Lord, to be condemned with the 
world; and so to lay our sins to heart, that thou mayest 
never lay them to our charge, but upon the account of 
thy Son our Saviour; whom thou hast given to be the 
propitiation for our sins; and in whom thou art a God 
gracious and merciful to poor sinners; that deserve 
nothing at all from thee, but to be forsaken and abhorred 
by thee. For his sake, O God! give us repentance and 
pardon for all that is past, wherein we have offended 
thee; whether they be our sins of omission or commis- 
sion; sins of weakness or wilfulness; failings or pre- 
sumptions; the sins of ignorance, or such as we have 
committed against light and knowledge; O gracious 
Lord, humble us duly under the sense of them, and ab- 
solve us thoroughly from the guilt of them. O set our 
sins in order before us, and make us to know our trans- 
gressions, and the evil of our own hearts; and every 
one of us so to search and try our ways, that we may 
turn to the Lord, and bring forth fruits meet for re- 
pentance; and not only loathe ourselves in our own 
sight, for the evils whereof we have been guilty; but 
also loathe, as much as ever we have loved, the things 
which displease thy holy will, and dishonour thy bless- 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 22f 

ed name. O that we may forsake our sins, not only in 
the outward commission, but in the inward affection; 
not reserving to ourselves any sin or lust to be spared, 
nor any way of wickedness, wherein we would be allow- 
ed; but keeping at that distance which thy holy word 
teaches us to keep, from every evil and accursed thing, 
that is abomination in thy sight, and destructive to our 
souls; and cleansing ourselves from all filthiness of 
flesh and spirit, endeavouring to perfect holiness in the 
fear of God. 

O pour out a spirit of serious repentance and refor- 
mation upon the whole nation; to heal the distempers 
of our souls, to curb the disorders of our lives, and to 
recover the decayed power of godliness in the land; 
and so prepare and dispose us not only for thy temporal 
mercies, but for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to 
eternal life. Help us so to turn from the evil of our 
ways, that thou mayest turn from the fierceness of thy 
wrath, and cause thy anger towards us to cease. O that 
we may fear the rod, and who has appointed it! And 
so prepare to meet thee, our God, in the way of thy 
judgments, that the God of peace may think thoughts 
of peace to us, and not of evil; and to give us an unex- 
pected end, and the desired issue, of all our fears and 
dangers. 

Thou canst show us great and mighty things, which 
we know not, and exceed all our expectations, as well 
as our deservings, by thy bountiful favours: and though 
thou mightest make us know the worth of slighted 
mercies, by their want, and deprive us of all the good, 
which we have so little improved, and so greatly abused; 
yet O how many promises of thy word, and what fre- 
quent experience, which we have had of thy mercy, in 
time of our need, do encourage us still with hope to 
look unto thee, our God, and to wait for the salvation 
of the Lord! O how long, in all our provocations, hast 
thou spared us! And how often, in our distresses, sent 
wonderful redemption to us! And to thee, who hast 
helped and delivered, in time past, do we look still for 
help and deliverance. O our God, be thou pleased to 
help and deliver us, for the glory of that mercy which 
first made us thy people, and still has owned us for thy 
peculiar care. O do not abhor us, nor forsake us for 



228 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

thy name's sake; but be jealous for thy land, and pity 
thy people. Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, and 
cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved. 

Either in mercy turn away the evils from us; or pre- 
pare us for them, and support us under them, and bring 
us happily out of them; that we may not sink and pe- 
rish in them, but find spiritual good, by temporal evils; 
and find the light momentary afflictions to work for us 
a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; and 
all things concurring to promote our grace and our 
peace with God, through Jesus Christ. And though 
thou shouldst feed us with bread of adversity, and 
water of affliction, yet let not our teachers be removed; 
nor bring us under a famine of the word of the Lord; 
nor give us over to the formality of a lifeless profes- 
sion; under all the means of grace, to send leanness 
into our soul. Though thou permit the floods and 
storms to arise and increase, yet fortify us so by thy 
grace, that we may not be moved by any of those af- 
flictions, so as to turn the blessed advantage of suffering 
for thee into an occasion of falling from thee. 

O help us, Lord, to rid our hands and our hearts of 
all the accursed things that provoke thy wrath and in- 
dignation against us. And let us wisely consider of 
thy doings, and know the time of our visitation, and 
hearken to the calls, and take the warnings, and improve 
the means and mercies vouchsafed to us, while we have 
them; and follow the conduct of thy good providence, 
and comply with all thy gracious methods used, to re- i 
claim us from our sins, and to reform our lives, and 
save our souls; that all may not be in vain to us, but at 
least effect the purpose of thy saving mercy upon us; to 
deliver us from the evils to come, and to set us safe 
into the hands of Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and 
Saviour. Amen. 



FAST DAY .— E VENIN G. Jay. 

O God, thou hast established thy throne in the hea- 
vens, and thy kingdom ruleth over all. We prostrate 
ourselves before thee, deeply impressed with a sense 
of the vastness of thy agency and dominion. Thou 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 229 

changest the times and the seasons; thou removest 
kings, and settest up kings. Empires rise and fall, 
and fade and flourish, at thy bidding: and all nations 
are in thy hand, but as clay in the hand of the potter. 

But none of thy dispensations are arbitrary. What- 
ever thou doest, is done, because, O Father, it seemeth 
good in thy sight; and thy judgment is always accord- 
ing to truth. Thou art holy in all thy ways, and righ- 
teous in all thy works — and thou art good; even in 
wrath thou rememberest mercy, and dost not afflict will- 
ingly, nor grieve the children of men. 

Therefore it is, that we have been this day humbling 
ourselves in thy presence. 

For we acknowledge that we have been deeply guilty. 
Thou hast nourished and brought up children, but we 
have rebelled against thee. The ox. knoweth his owner, 
and the ass his master's crib; but we have not known, 
we have not considered. Thou hast given us our corn, 
and wine, and oil, and multiplied our silver and gold; 
and we have prepared them for Baal. Because of 
swearing, the land has mourned. Pride has compassed 
us about as a chain. Discontent has rebelled against 
thine appointments. How has the love of money, 
which is the root of all evil, abounded among us. How 
have thy Sabbaths been profaned, and thy ordinances 
disregarded. How has the gospel been undervalued, 
neglected, despised. 

And all our transgressions have been more aggra- 
vated than those of any other people, because thou hast 
favoured us unspeakably more than all the families of 
the earth. 

Therefore thou couldst easily and justly have de- 
stroyed us; but thou hast not stirred up all thy wrath. 
In all that has come upon us, for our evil deeds, thou 
hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve. Yet 
thou hast testified thy displeasure, and visited us with 
thy judgments; so that when we looked for light and 
peace, we have seen darkness and trouble. 

O, let us not be inattentive to the design of thy deal- 
ings, or insensible under thy rebukes. O, let it not be 
said of us as it was of the Jews, The harp, and the viol, 
and the tabret, and pipe, and wine are in their feasts, 
but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither con- 

u 



230 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

sider the operation of his hand. Thou hast stricken 
them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed 
them, but they have refused to receive correction; they 
have made their faces harder than the rock; they have 
refused to return. 

In the way of thy judgments, O Lord, may we wait 
for thee. Thou hast said, Is any afflicted? let him 
pray. Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will 
deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Fulfil the word 
unto thy servants, upon which thou hast caused us to 
hope. And O, let not the calamity be removed only, 
but above all, sanctified; let it appear that we have heard 
the rod, and him that appointeth it: and be able to say, It 
is good for us that we have been afflicted. 

For which purpose, bless, we beseech thee, the word 
of thy grace, which has been spoken; and grant that 
the professed humiliation of the day may be real — for 
thou lookest to the heart. And let it also be universal, 
may it extend from the highest to the lowest; may it 
pervade every part of our country; may it enter every 
church, and every family — let none of us lose sight of 
ourselves in the public calamity. May each individual 
retire and ask, What have I done, and what wilt thou 
have me to do? And though other lords have had do- 
minion over us, henceforth, by thee only, may we make 
mention of thy name. 

Regard the government under which we live, and the 
magistracy of the land — may all be wise in counsel, ex- 
emplary in conduct, and faithful to their trust. 

And thus may we be reformed, and not destroyed. 
Thus may we be a holy, that we may be a happy peo- 
ple, whose God is the Lord. Return, O Lord, how long? 
and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. O, satis- 
fy us early with thy mercy, that we may rejoice and be 
glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days 
wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein 
we have seen evil. Let thy work appear unto thy ser- 
vants; and thy glory unto their children. And let the 
beauty of the Lord our God be upon us; and establish 
thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of 
our hands, establish thou it. 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 231 

And to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be 
rendered the kingdom, power, and glory, for ever and 
ever. Amen, 



IN TIME OF PESTILENCE. Jenks. 

O Lord God, the giver of our health, it is only of 
thy mercy that we have so much health continued, af- 
ter the manner in which we have lived. And O how 
just were it with thee, utterly to take away that health 
from us which we have so greatly abused to a forge t- 
fulness of thee, and wantonness against thee! How 
justly mightest thou smite us with the most sharp and 
noisome diseases, which our nature most abhorreth: 
to hurry us out of the land of the living, and put a sor- 
rowful end to our wretched days! Our flesh trembles 
for fear of thee, and we are afraid of thy judgments, 
lest thou shouldst strike into us the arrows of the Al- 
mighty, for the poison thereof to drink up our spirits: 
lest thou shouldst give unto death a command to come 
in at our doors and sweep us away with the besom of 
destruction. But O thou hope of Israel, the Saviour 
thereof in time of trouble; regard not our ill deserts^ 
but remember thy own tender mercies, and gracious 
promises; and take pity on us, and turn away this 
plague from us. Put a stop to the raging pestilence, 
and say to the destroying angel, it is enough. That 
so we may not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for 
the arrow that flies by day; nor for the pestilence that 
walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wast- 
eth at noon-day: but with calmness in our minds, and 
gladness in our hearts, may serve thee faithfully and 
cheerfully all our clays: and devote our spared lives, 
which we have begged at thy hands, and our health 
and every mercy, to thy honour and glory; through the 
strength and the righteousness of thy dear Son, our 
most compassionate and prevailing Mediator, Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 



FOR RAIN. Jenks. 



We confess, O Lord, that we have so greatly abused 
the comforts of thy good creatures, that thou mightest 



232 PRAYER AND THANKSGIVINGS 

justly withdraw them from us, and make the heavens 
over us as brass, and the rain of our land dust, and the 
land itself to mourn, and all that grows upon it to wi- 
ther. But O thou Father of mercies, who in judgment 
rememberest mercy, consult not now our merits, but 
thy own mercies, how to use us. Thou that hast the 
bottles and treasures of heaven at thy command, be 
pleased now to open the windows of heaven, and cause 
the rain to come down in its season; making grass to 
grow for the cattle, and herbs and fruits of the earth 
for the service of men. And however thou art pleased 
to deal with us, O suppress all our repinings at any of 
thy dealings: and let them all amend and better us: and 
make us a people prepared to receive the mercies which 
we want, and wait and beg for, at thy gracious hands, 
upon the account of Jesus Christ. Amen. 



FOR FAIR WEATHER. Jenks. 

Lord, if thou shouldst turn a fruitful land into bar- 
renness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein: 
yet righteous wert thou, and just would be thy judg- 
ments; and we must not open our mouths to reply 
against God; but bear the indignation of the Lord 
which our sins have so much deserved; when our ini- 
quities have turned away the blessings, and withholden 
the good things from us. But, O Father of mercies, 
spare us, and forgive us, for thy own mercy's sake; 
and put a stop to the calamity that threatens destruc- 
tion to the works of thy hands; that the rain which is 
thy blessing may not be turned into a curse; nor de- 
scend from heaven to corrupt and spoil the fruits of the 
earth. O cause the overflowing showers to cease, 
which damp the joy of the harvest, and endanger the 
blasting of our blessings. And as thou hast given us 
plenty, and caused our land to yield its increase, so give 
us, we pray thee, a seasonable time to gather in the 
fruits which thy bounty has provided for us; that in 
the use of them we may joyfully and cheerfully serve 
thee; and not consume them upon our lusts, but live to 
thy glory, as we do upon thy bounty. And when thy 
judgments are in the land, O that we, who inhabit it, 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 233 

may learn righteousness! nor let our anxieties be so 
great for our bodies as for our souls; that however we 
fare here, it may go well with us forever. O let us 
not labour for the meat thatperisheth as for that which 
endures to everlasting life; which everlasting provision 
for our unchangeable condition, above all we beg at 
thy hands, O Lord God our heavenly Father, for the 
sake of Jesus Christ our only Saviour. Jlmen. 



UNDER FAMILY AFFLICTION. Cotterill. 

MORNING OR EVENING. 

Almighty God, the Father of mercies, and the God 
of all consolation, our only help in time of need, we flee 
unto thee for succour in this season of tribulation and 
distress. Out of the deeps we call unto thee, O Lord. 
Lord, hear our voice. O let thine ears consider well 
the voice of our complaint. 

We acknowledge, O God, that for our iniquities we 
are visited, and for our sins are we troubled. We are 
born to trouble as the sparks fly upward, because we 
have been transgressors from the womb. And if thou 
shouldst be extreme to mark what we have done amiss, 
our present sorrows would only be the beginning of 
sorrows which should know no end. Wherefore should 
a living man complain? a man for the punishment of 
his sins? 

But thou art gracious and merciful; full of compas- 
sion and of great goodness. Thou hast not dealt with 
us according to our sins; nor rewarded us according to 
our iniquities. Blessed be thy name, that thou not only 
hast opened unto us a way of escape from the wrath to 
come, but hast mercifully ordained the sufferings of the 
present life to work together for good to them that love 
thee. 

Thy wise providence ordereth all things both in hea- 
ven and earth. Not a sparrow falleth to the ground 
without thy knowledge and appointment; and the very 
hairs of our head are all numbered. Thou assurest us, 
that thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the chil- 
dren of men, but for their profit, that they may be par- 
u 2 



234 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

takers of thy holiness. Whom thou lovest, thou chas- 
tenest; and scourgest every son whom thou receivest. 

Thou afflictest us to humble us, and to prove us, and 
to know what is in our hearts; and whether we will 
love thee, and keep thy commandments, or no. 

Give us grace therefore to consider, in this day of 
our adversity, wherefore thou contendest with us, and 
art wroth. Let us not despise thy chastening, nor 
faint when we are rebuked of thee; nor be weary of 
thy correction. But let us be still, and know that thou 
art God. In patience enable us to possess our souls. 
Grant that our tribulation may work patience; and pa- 
tience experience; and experience hope; and our hope, 
let it not make ashamed; but let thy love be shed 
abroad in our hearts, through the Holy Ghost given 
unto us. Let us not cast away our confidence, which 
hath great recompense of reward. Though troubled 
on every side, let us not be distressed; though perplex- 
ed, let us not be in despair; though cast down, let us 
not be destroyed. And be pleased to cause our light 
afflictions, which are but for a moment, to work out for 
us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 
while we look not at the things that are seen, but at the 
things which are not seen: for the things which are 
seen, are temporal; but the things which are not seen, 
are eternal. Though no chastening for the present 
seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; yet afterwards let 
it yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto us 
who are now exercised thereby. Grant that we may 
find it good to be afflicted, and see that thou, of very 
faithfulness, hast caused us to be in trouble. And 
whenever it may please thee to deliver us out of the 
miseries of this sinful world, of thy gracious goodness 
receive us into that blessed kingdom, where thou shalt 
wipe away all tears from our eyes; where there shall be 
no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall 
there be any more pain; for the former things are pass- 
ed away. 

We beseech thee, also, O Lord, to have compassion 
on our brethren and companions in tribulation. 

Have mercy upon all sick persons; and make all their 
bed in their sickness. Eternal God, be thou their re- 
fuge, and place underneath them thy everlasting arms. 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 235 

Look graciously upon them, O Lord; and the more the 
outward man decayeth, strengthen them, we beseech 
thee, so much the more continually, by thy grace and 
Holy Spirit, in the inward man. Give them unfeigned 
repentance for all the sins of their past lives, and stead- 
fast faith in thy Son Jesus; that their sins may be done 
away by thy mercy, and their pardon sealed in heaven, 
before they go hence, and are no more seen. 

We commend into thy hands, as into the hands of a 
faithful Creator and most merciful Saviour, the souls of 
those who are departing this life; most humbly be- 
seeching thee, that they may be precious in thy sight. 
Wash them, we pray thee, in the blood of that spotless 
Lamb which was slain to take away the sins of the 
world; that whatsoever defilements they may have con- 
tracted in the midst of this miserable and wicked world, 
through the lusts of the flesh or the wiles of Satan, 
being purged and done away, they may be presented 
pure and without spot before thee. 

Be gracious also unto thy people who are weeping, 
and refuse to be comforted, for the loss of beloved 
friends and relations, departed this life in thy faith and 
fear. Let them not be sorry, as men without hope, for 
those that sleep in thee: but comfort them with the joy- 
ful expectation, that they shall see each other again at 
the resurrection in the last day. 

May it please thee, likewise, to defend and provide 
for the fatherless children and widows, and all that are 
desolate and oppressed. 

And, since many are the afflictions of the righteous, 
Lord, remember them and all their troubles. Regard 
those who are in heaviness through manifold tempta- 
tions. Graciously hear us, that those evils which the 
craft and subtilty of the devil or man worketh against 
them be brought to nought, and by the providence of 
thy goodness they may be dispersed; that they, thy ser- 
vants, being hurt by no persecutions, may evermore 
give thanks unto thee, and glorify thy name. 

Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all 
those who are any ways afflicted or distressed in mind, 
body, or estate. That it may please thee to comfort 
and relieve them, according to their several necessities; 



236 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

giving them patience under their sufferings, and a hap- 
py issue out of all their afflictions. 

[Hear us, especially, in behalf of thy servant, for 
whom we desire especially to pray. We look up unto 
thee, O thou compassionate Saviour, who wast thyself 
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. O thou, 
who didst weep at the tomb of Lazarus, and art still 
touched with the feeling of our infirmities, pitifully be- 
hold the sorrows of our hearts, and graciously look 
upon our afflictions. O thou, who, of old, didst cure all 
manner of sickness, and all manner of disease among 
the people, be gracious unto us. Let not this sickness 
be unto death; but for the glory of thy name. Speak 
the word only, and thy servant shall be healed. Have 
mercy upon him, O Lord, have mercy upon him; and 
not on him only, but on us also, lest we should have 
sorrow upon sorrow. If it be possible, let this cup pass 
away from us, without our drinking all its bitterness,* 
but, if not, thy will be done. Only be pleased to sanc- 
tify this thy fatherly correction to him, that the sense of 
his weakness may add strength to his faith, and efficacy 
to his repentance: that, if it should be thy good plea- 
sure to restore him to his former health, he may lead 
the residue of his life in thy fear and to thy glory; or 
else give him grace so to take thy visitation, that after 
this painful life ended, he may dwell with thee in life 
everlasting.] 

And this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake. 

Our Father, &c. 



FOR A SICK CHILD. Jenks. 

O God of the spirits of all flesh, the only giver and 
preserver of life in every living soul; the smallest, as 
well as the greatest, are thy work and thy care; and 
neither without the compass of thy providence, nor 
below the notice and regard of our heavenly Father, 
who though so great above all, yet despiseth not any! 
O Lord, let thy thoughts be full of pity and tender mer- 
cy to this poor sick child, for whose afflictions we are 
now concerned; and send him that relief and comfort 
from above, which none of us are able to give. Either 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 237 

lighten the load, or increase the strength to bear it; and 
deal gently and graciously with him, O Lord, beyond 
i what we are worthy to ask at thy hands, even for thy 
J own goodness and mercy's sake. Spare him, O Father 
I of mercies, and grant him ease and release from his 
i trouble; yea, make haste to deliver him, we beseech 
i thee; and in submission to thy v/ill we beg the reco- 
very of his health, and the continuance of his life, to 
i be spent in thy fear, and to thy praise, that he may con- 
I tinue to do thee service, and bring thee glory in his days 

1 upon earth. But, forasmuch as children themselves, 

2 who are shapen in iniquity, and conceived in sin, are 
i therefore subject to death, if thou art pleased, Lord, to 
s take him away so early, O let it be in mercy, and pre- 
1 pai?e him then so for thyself, that it may be to him the 
s greatest gain to die; that he may not only be delivered 
s from the miseries and dangers of this world, and that 
; to come, but may be made ripe and ready for heaven 

and eternal glory, through the infinite satisfaction and 
I merits of thy beloved Son, our compassionate Saviour, 
i who so kindly embraced and blessed young children, 
■ and ever lives at thy right hand to intercede for young 
I and old; the only prevailing advocate for us all. And 
i to thy mercy in him, O most gracious God, we com- 
i mend this afflicted child, beseeching thee to deal well 
i by him, and be good and kind to him; and out of the 
riches of thy grace, provide and do abundantly, as thou 
knowest best for him, in life and death, and for ever- 
more. Amen. 



UNDER DANGEROUS SICKNESS. Jenks. 

O Lord God Almighty, in whom we all ever live, 
and move and are; we acknowledge it to be of thy mer- 
cies we are not consumed, because thy compassions 
fail not. If thou hadst, long before this time, cut us 
off in our sins, and shut us up under final despair of 
thy mercy, yet righteous hadst thou been, O Lord; and 
justly mightest thou now refuse to hear us calling upon 
thee in our prayers as we so often have refused to hear 
thee calling upon us by the motions of thy Holy Spirit. 
But thou art God, and not man; and thy thoughts are 



238 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

not as our thoughts, nor thy ways as our ways; but 
as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are thy 
thoughts and thy ways above ours. Thou art our re- 
fuge and strength, a present help in time of trouble. 

And now we come to thee, O Lord our God, in be- 
half of this thy servant, that lies here in a low and dis- 
tressed state, under thy chastening hand. Look down 
we beseech thee, mercifully upon him; and be thou gra- 
cious and favourable to him, according to the multi- 
tude of thy tender mercies in Christ Jesus. If thou 
but speak the word, he will be healed. — And in sub- 
mission to thy most wise and good disposal of all 
things, we would beg this mercy at thy hands, that 
thou wouldst be pleased to rebuke his distemper, to re- 
move thy stroke, and cause the bitter cup which thou 
hast given him to pass away from him, and make him 
a way to escape out of the affliction that is upon him> 
and to this end, that thou wouldst direct to the means 
proper for his help, and command a blessing upon them 
to promote his recovery. Spare him, good Lord, and 
restore him if it be thy will, that he may have a long 
time to work out his salvation, and be more useful in 
his place, and do more good in his generation; or how- 
ever thou shalt be pleased to deal with him as to the 
concerns of his body, which we pray may be in a way 
of gentleness and tender mercy; yet Lord, let his soul 
be ever precious in thy sight; and may this sickness be 
for the health of that immortal better part, to promote 
his salvation everlasting. 

O give him a right discerning of the things belong- 
ing to his peace, before they be hid from his eyes; show 
him what he is to do; enable him for the doing of it, 
that he may have the sound peace with God, through 
Jesus Christ; give him the true repentance towards 
God, and the right faith in the only Saviour of the 
world; wash and cleanse his soul with the blood of thy 
Son, and the graces of thy Spirit, that it may be deli- 
vered from all defilements it has contracted in this pre- 
sent evil world, and be found safe and happy in the hour 
of death, and in the great day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Fit him, O Lord, for living or dying, whatever in thy 
wise and righteous providence thou hast designed for 
him, that it may be unto him Christ to live, and gain to 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 239 

die, that in all, he may find cause to glorify thy name, 
still experiencing thy gracious goodness to him in the 
Son of thy love; if thou shalt please yet to release him 
from his bed of languishing, to live longer upon earth, 
O that he may live to thee in thy fear, and to thy praise, 
and do thee better service, and bring thee greater glo- 
ry; or, if thou hast determined that this sickness shall 
be a sickness unto death, and this visitation his last vi- 
sitation, prepare him, O merciful God, by thy grace, 
for thy blessed self; and grant him a safe and comfort- 
able passage out of this wretched life, to an infinitely 
better, through the merits and mediation of thy beloved 
Son, our only Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. 



FOR ONE DYING. Jenks. 

i 

I O the hope of Israel, and the Saviour thereof in time 
'of trouble! when all other hope and help fail, it is not 
in vain to seek unto thee for succour, who canst bring 
back from the mouth of the grave, and where thou art 
not pleased any further to prolong the temporal life, 
yet canst deliver from eternal death, and bring safe to 
the blessed life everlasting. We beg the recovery of 
thy servant, O Lord, now that he seems to us going the 
I way of all flesh, and launching forth into his everlasting 
\ condition. 

O Lord our God, leave him not, nor forsake him, but 
support and assist him now in his sorest extremities, in 
his last agonies, when he is to conflict with the king of 
terrors; let him find the most sweet and seasonable aids 
i from the Almighty God of his salvation, and take him 
not out of this life till thou hast fitted him for a better. 
i O thou ever living God, stand by him in the dying hour, 
and secure him in thy hands from the enemies of his 
soul, and finish all that is wanting of the work of thy 
grace upon his heart. Freely and fully pardon and de- 
liver him from all his sins, and fit him to appear with 
•comfort and rejoicing in thy blessed presence. O make 
, his departure easy, and full of peace and hope; carry 
r him safe through the dark passage, upon which he is 
•entering, and let him find it the gate of glory, and a 
) door opened into the everlasting kingdom and joy of 



240 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

his Lord. Into thy hands we commend his spirit. O 
thou Father of mercies, be merciful to /»'m, and receive 
his departing soul; and when he is numbered among 
the dead, let him also be numbered among the re- 
deemed and blessed of the Lord, for his sake who him- 
self died for sinners, and rose again, and lives, and is 
alive for ever more, and has the keys of death and hell. 
To thy mercy, in that blest Saviour of the world, O 
most merciful Father, we now humbly commend him; 
beseeching thee to be all in all to hi?n, and infinitely 
better than we are worthy or able to ask for him; and 
let him be thine in life and death, and for evermore, 
through the all-sufficient mediation of thy dear Son, 
our prevailing Advocate and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. 
Jlmen. 



THE EVENING AFTER A FUNERAL. Jay. 

O Thou Father of mercies, and God of all comfort. 
Thou hast often invited us to thyself, by kindness; and it 
manifests our depravity, that we think of thee so little 
in the hour of ease and prosperity. But we are now be- 
fore thee in affliction and distress. Yet Ave rejoice to 
know, that thou art a very present, and an all-sufficient 
help in trouble. 

Thou takest away, and who can hinder thee, or say 
unto thee, What doest thou? Thou hast a right to do 
what thou wilt with thine own. Thou art a Sovereign, 
and the reasons of thy conduct are often far above, out 
of our sight; but thy work is perfect, thy ways are 
judgment. All thy dispensations are wise, and righ- 
teous, and kind — kind, even when they seem to be se- 
vere. 

May we hear thy voice in thy rod, as well as in thy 
word: and gathering from the corrections with which 
we are exercised, the peaceable fruit of righteousness, 
be able to acknowledge, with all our suffering brethren 
before us, It is good for me that I have been afflicted. 

It is not the Scripture only, that reminds us of our 
living in a dying world, but all observation and expe- 
rience. Man is continually going to his long home, 
and the mourners daily go about the streets. And we 
are all accomplishing as an hireling, our day, and in a 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 241 

( little time our neighbours, friends, and relations, will 

seek us — and we shall not be. Our days are swifter 

than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope. 

Thou hast made our days as an hand's breadth, and our 

age is as nothing before thee: verily, every man at his 

j best state is altogether vanity. For our days are not 

j only few, but full of evil. Anxieties perplex us; dan- 

( gers alarm us; infirmities oppress us; disappoinments 

afflict us; losses impoverish us — we are consumed by 

thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled — 0,shut 

not thy merciful ear to our prayers; but spare us, O 

Lord, most holy; O God, most mighty; O holy and 

i most merciful Saviour; thou most worthy Judge Eter- 

1 nal, suffer us not, at our last hour, for any bitter pains 

of death to fall from thee. 

We acknowledge, O God, with shame and sorrow, 
that the state of degradation and mortality, in which 
! we groan, was not our original condition. Thou madest 
j man upright; but he sought out many inventions. By 
i. one man, sin entered into the world, and death by sin; 
5 and so death hath passed upon all men, for that all have 
sinned. 

And we bless thee that this is not our final state. 
By the discoveries of faith, we see new heavens, and a 
new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. We see 
i the spirits of just men made perfect. We see our vile 
o! bodies changed, and fashioned like the Saviour's own 
f glorious body; and man, the sinner, raised above the 
ii angels, who never sinned, 
are 9' We bless thee for this purpose of grace, formed be- 
fore the world began, and accomplished in the fulness 
of time, by the Son of thy love, who hath abolished 
death, and brought life and immortality to light by the 
thj{ gospel; and who among the ravages of the grave, says, 
jjil am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in 
ieS j rme, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and who- 
r er isoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. 
ted i So teach us to number our days that we may apply 
of lour hearts unto wisdom — that wisdom which will lead 
S pe '.us to prefer the soul to the body, and eternity to time; 
q'kK that wisdom which will lead us to secure an interest in a 
jl abetter world, before we are removed from this, 
j 5 O, let not the trifles of time induce us to neglect the 



242 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

one thing needful. While each of us is compelled to 
say, I know thou wilt bring me to death, and to the 
house appointed for all living, may we be enabled also to 
say, I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded 
that he is able to keep that which I have committed to 
him, against that day. 

And, O, let not the solemnities we have this day wit- 
nessed, be ever forgotten ; for often, our most serious 
impressions have worn off, and our goodness has been 
as the morning cloud and early dew that soon passeth 
away. 

Thou hast permitted death to invade our circle, and 
hast turned our dwelling into a house of mourning. 
May we find that it is better to be in the house of 
mourning, than in the house of mirth. By the sadness 
of the countenance may the heart be made better, more 
serious to reflect, and more softened to take impres- 
sion. 

With the feelings of the creature, may we blend the 
views and the hopes of the Christian. May we remem- 
ber that thou hast bereaved us, resuming what was lent 
us for a season, but never ceased to be thine own. May 
we, therefore, be dumb, and open not our mouth, because 
thou hast done it; or if we speak, may it be to acknow- 
ledge and pray — I know, O Lord, that thy judgments 
are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me; 
let thy loving-kindness be for my comfort, according to 
thy word unto thy servant. 

Now unto him that is able to keep us from falling, 
and to present us faultless before the presence of his 
glory, with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our 
Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, 
both now and ever. &men. 



MOURNING FOR THE LOSS OF RELATIVES AND 

FRIENDS. Smith 

O Thou who art our great Creator, and, by thy good 
hand upon us, still our merciful Preserver, may we at 
this time approach the footstool of thy throne, with 
thy divine forgiveness and gracious acceptance. To 
whom can we go but unto thee, who art the Father of 
lights, and Fountain of every blessing; and who hast said 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 243 

in thy Holy Scriptures, " Call upon me in the day of 
trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." 
In this word, O God, we find it written, " It is better to 
go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of 
feasting; for that is the end of all men, and the living 
will lay it to his heart. 5 ' 

By thy wise and special appointment, our deceased 
[brother] [sister] is cut off from the land of the living; 
[his] [her] body returns to the earth out of which it 
was taken, and [his] [her] spirit hath returned to thee, 
v/ho gave it. We would desire upon this, as upon 
every occasion, to submit ourselves to God; saying, 
" The will of the Lord be done." Be pleased to grant ? 
O thou Author of every good and perfect gift! grant 
that we may be enabled to say, with the same resigna- 
tion as thy servant of old: "The Lord gave, and the 
Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the 
Lord." 

Blessed Jesus, thou hast said, " I am the resurrection 
and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were 
dead, yet shall he live." And, O heavenly Father, help 
us all to extend our views forward to that day when 
thou shalt redeem our souls from the power of the 
grave; and when these bodies, which are sown in cor- 
ruption, dishonour, and weakness, shall be raised in 
incorruption, glory, and power; and that saying be 
brought to pass, " Death is swallowed up in victory." 
In this important and interesting day, when the world 
shall be judged in righteousness by that Immanuel 
w T hom God the Father hath appointed, may we, and all 
our deceased friends, appear clothed with his righteous- 
ness, and hear him pronounce, " Come, ye blessed of 
my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from 
the foundation of the world." 

Knowing these things, may we be enabled, O God, to 
comfort ourselves together, and edify one another, ever 
reckoning that " the sufferings of this present time are 
not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be 
revealed in us;" nay, assured " that our light affliction, 
which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more 
exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 

Now unto him that is able to keep us from falling, 
' and to present us faultless before the presence of his 



244 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God, our 
Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion, and power, 
both now and ever. Jlmen. 



SPRING. Jay. 

Thou art the fountain of life; in thee we live, move, 
and have our being — and the prerogative of that being 
is, that we are able to contemplate thy perfections, and 
rise from thy works — to thyself. 

Thou sendest forth thy Spirit; and renewest the face 
of the earth; and, from apparent death, all nature starts 
into reanimated vigour and joy. In what myriads of 
productions art thou displaying afresh, the wonders of 
thy wisdom, power, and goodness — the whole earth is 
full of thy riches. 

While we partake of the general sympathy and de- 
light, may we join with all thy works to praise thee. 
And, O thou God of all grace, bless us with the re- 
newing of the Holy Ghost, in all the powers of our 
souls. May old things pass away, and all become new 
in Christ: may the beauty of the Lord be upon us; and 
the joy of the Lord be our strength. 

May the young remember, that they are now in the 
spring of life; and that this spring, once gone, returns 
no more. May they, therefore, eagerly seize, and zeal- 
ously improve, the short, but all important season, for 
the cultivation of their minds, the formation of their 
habits, the correction of their tempers, their prepara- 
tion for future usefulness, and their gaining that good 
part which shall hot be taken away from them. 



SUMMER. Jay. 

We hail Thee in the varying aspects of the year, and 
bless thee for all their appropriate influences and ad- 
vantages. O, let us not view them and enjoy them as 
men only, but as christians also; and ever connect with 
them, the better blessings of thy grace. 

How wise, and useful, and necessary, are these in- 
termingled rains and sunbeams — may Jesus, as the Sun 
of righteousness, arise upon us, with healing under his 
wings; and may he come down as rain upon the mown 
grass, and as showers that water the earth. 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 245 

When we walk by the cooling brook — may we think 
of that river, the streams whereof make glad the city 
of God. 

When we retire from the scorching warmth of the 
day, into the inviting shade — may we be thankful for a 
rest at noon, a shelter from the heat, the shadow of a 
great rock in a weary land. 

May thy servants behold the moral fields, that are 
already white unto harvest, and be all anxiety to save 
the multitudes, that are perishing for lack of know- 
ledge. 

The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; 
we therefore pray, that Thou wilt send forth labourers 
into thy harvest. 

He that gathereth in summer, is a wise son; he that 
sleepeth in harvest, is a son that causeth shame. Now 
is our accepted time, now is our day of salvation. G, 
let us not waste our precious privileges, and in a dying 
hour exclaim— The harvest is past, the summer is end- 
ed, and we are not saved. 



AUTUMN. Jay. 

How fleeting as well as varying, are the seasons of 
the year. How insensibly have the months of spring 
and summer vanished; and nature has no sooner attain- 
ed its maturities, than we behold its declension and de- 
cay. The fields are now shorn of their produce; the 
beauties of the garden are withered; the woods are 
changing their verdure, and the trees shedding their 
foliage — we also never continue in one state. Many of 
our connexions and comforts have already dropped 
away from us; and the remaining are holden by a slen- 
der tenure; while we ourselves do all fade as a leaf, 
and in a little time, our places will know us no more. 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, for the announcement of an inheritance that 
fadeth not away. O for a hope full of immortality; 
for a possession of that good part, which shall not be 
taken away from us. 

x 2 



246 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 



WINTER. Jay. 

O Thou God of nature and providence; manifold are 
thy works; in wisdom thou hast made them all; and 
all are full of thy goodness. The welfare of thy crea- 
tures requires the severity of winter as well as the 
pleasures of spring. We adore thy hand in all. Thou 
givest snow like wool: thou scatterest the hoar frost 
like ashes. Thou sendest abroad thine ice like morsels: 
who can stand before thy cold? 

But we bless thee, for a house to shelter us; for 
raiment to cover us; for fuel to warm us; and all the 
accommodations, that render. life even at this inclement 
season, not only tolerable, but full of comfort. 

May we be grateful; and may we be pitiful. May 
we reflect on the condition of those who are the victims 
of every kind of privation and distress— and waste 
nothing; hoard nothing; but hasten to be ministers of 
mercy, and the disciples of him, who went abroad doing 
good. 

O, let the rich, noiv, deservedly prize their wealth, 
and use it as the instrument of usefulness. May they 
be willing to communicate, and ready to distribute; 
and enjoy the blessing of him that is ready to perish^ 
and make the widow's heart to sing for joy. 



FOR A DAY OF THANKSGIVING. Jay. 

MORNING. 

God, thou art very great — thou art clothed with 
honour and majesty; thou coverest thyself with light 
as with a garment; thou walkest upon the wings of the 
wind. When we reflect on the glory of thy majesty, 
we are filled with wonder at the vastness of thy conde- 
scension. For thou condescendest even to behold 
things that are in heaven. What, then is man, that 
thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou 
visitest him. 

We rejoice, that we are under the governance of a 
Being, who is not only Almighty, but perfectly righ- 
teous, and wise, and good; that all things, in our world, 
are appointed and arranged by Lhy paternal agency; 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 247 

that thy providence numbers the very hairs of our head, 
and that a sparrow falleth not to the ground, without 
our heavenly Father. 

Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. We bless thee 
for personal mercies. If we are called, it is by thy 
word. If we are renewed, it is by thy Spirit. If we 
are justified, it is freely by thy grace through the re- 
demption that is in Christ Jesus. It is in thee we live, 
and move, and have our being. Thy goodness has 
been always near us, to hear our complaints, to sooth 
our sorrow, and to command deliverance for us. And 
numberless are the instances of loving kindness, that 
now, from ignorance, or inattention, elude our notice; 
the discovery of which will awaken our songs, when we 
mingle with those who dwell in thy house above, and 
are still praising thee. 

We thank thee for relative benefits; for blessings on 
our families, blessings on our churches, and blessings 
on our country. We confess that we are not worthy of 
the least of all thy mercies, and of all the truth which 
thou hast showed unto thy servants. Sins of every 
kind and of every degree, have reigned among us: have 
spread through all ranks and orders; and continued, 
notwithstanding all warnings and corrections; and if 
thou had st dealt with us, after our sins, or rewarded us 
according to our iniquities, we should long ago have 
had no name or place among the nations of the globe. 

But to the Lord, our God, belong mercies and for- 
givenesses, though we have rebelled against him. Ail 
thy dispensations towards us have said, with a tender- 
ness that ought to penetrate our hearts — How shall I 
give thee up! Our privileges, never properly im- 
proved, and forfeited times without number, have been 
continued. We still behold our sabbaths, and our ears 
still hear the joyful sound. Our constitution, liberties, 
and laws, have not been subverted, or impaired. Thou 
hast given us rains, and fruitful seasons; thou hast fill- 
ed us with the finest of the wheat; our garners have 
been affording all manner of store. Thou hast spread 
thy wing, and sheltered us from the pestilence that 
walketh in darkness, and the destruction that wasteth 
at noonday. Civil discord has not raged in our land; 
our shores have not been invaded; we have not heard 
the confused noise of warriors, nor seen garments rolled 



248 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

in blood — it has not come nigh us. Our enemies have 
often threatened to swallow us up, but the Lord has 
been on our side, and they have not prevailed against 
us. We are this day called upon to acknowledge thy 

goodness in ( ) [Here let the particular causes for 

thankfulness be expressed.] 

May we never convert our blessings into instruments 
of provocation, by making them the means of nourish- 
ing pride and presumption, wantonness and intempe- 
rance; and compel thee to complain — Do ye thus re- 
quite the Lord, O foolish people, and unwise? Is not he 
thy Father, that hath bought thee? Hath he not made 
thee, and established thee? 

For this purpose meet with us in thy house; and may 
the goings of our God and our King be seen in the 
sanctuary. Be with the preacher, and with the hear- 
ers; and let the words of his mouth, and the medita- 
tion of their hearts be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, 
our strength, and our Redeemer. May public instruc- 
tion awaken the ardour of our feelings: May our grati- 
tude not only be lively, but practical and permanent. 
And by all thy mercies, may we present our bodies a 
living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto thee, which is 
our reasonable service. 

Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, 
that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice 
of his word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts: ye 
ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, 
all his works, in all places of his dominion; bless the 
Lord, O my soul. Smen. 



FOR A DAY OF THANKSGIVING. Jay. 

EVENING. 

O God, thou art good, and doest good. Thou art 
good to all, and thy tender mercies are over all thy 
works. 

We have thought of thy loving kindness this day, in 
the midst of thy temple; and are again surrounding 
this domestic altar, to exclaim, O that men would praise 
the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works 
to the children of men. 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASION6. ■ 249 

We lament to think, that a world so filled with thy 
bounty, should be so alienated from thy service and 
glory. We mourn over the vileness of our ingratitude, 
and abhor ourselves, repenting- in dust and ashes. 

O thou God of all grace, make us more thankful. In 
order that we may be more thankful, may we be more 
humbles impress us with a deep sense of our unvvor- 
thiness, arising from the depravity of our nature, and 
countless instances of unimproved advantages, omitted 
duties, and violated commands. May we compare our 
condition with our desert, and with the far less indulged 
circumstances of others. May we never be inattentive 
to any of thy interpositions on our behalf: but be wise, 
and observe these things, that we may understand the 
loving kindness of the Lord. 

How many blessings, temporal and spiritual, public 
and private, hast thou conferred upon us. Thy mer- 
cies have been new every morning, and every moment. 

Our afflictions have been few and alleviated, often 
short in their continuance, and always founded in a re- 
gard to our profit. Thy secret has been upon our 
tabernacle^ and we have known thee in thy palaces for 
a refuge. The lines have indeed fallen to us in pleasant 
places, yea, we have a goodly heritage. Thou hast not 
dealt so with any people. It is a good land, which the 
Lord our God has given us— a land distinguished by 
knowledge^ dignified as the abode of civil and religious 
freedom^ endeared by the patriot's zeal, and the ashes 
of our forefathers; a land the Lord careth for, and upon 
which his eye has been from the beginning even to the 
end of the year. 

Thou hast been a wall of fire round about us, by thy 
providential protection, and the glory in the midst of 
us, by the gospel of our salvation, the ordinances of re- 
ligion, and the presence of thy Holy Spirit. 

What shall we render unto the Lord, for all his bene- 
fits towards us? Because thou hast been our help, 
therefore under the shadow of thy wing may we rejoice. 
Because thou hast heard our voice and our supplication, 
therefore may we call upon thee as long as we lives and 
in every future difficulty and distress, make thee our 
refuge and our portion. 

Enable us to bless thee at all times; may thy praise 



250 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

continually be in our mouth; and may we show forth 
thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives. 

Being delivered from the peril and calamity of( ) 

with which we have been exercised, may we serve thee 
without fear, in holiness and righteousness all the days 
of our lives. 

We dare not trust our own hearts. We have often 
resembled thy people of old, who, in the hour of de- 
liverance and indulgence, sang thy praise, and said — 
All that the Lord commandeth us, will we do; but soon 
forgot his works and the wonders which he had showed 
them. Keep these things for ever in the imagination 
of our hearts; and not only draw us, but bind us to thy- 
self, with the cords of love, and the bonds of a man. 

And with all our calls to gratitude and joy, may we 
remember that we have also reason for sorrow and 
humiliation. O, give us that repentance which is unto 
life. Reform, as well as indulge us; and pardon, as 
well as spare. Let not our prosperity destroy us, nor 
our table become a snare. Let us not by our perverse 
returns, provoke thee to visit us with heavier afflic- 
tions; and turn the rod into a scorpion. May our ways 
please the Lord, that we may hope for continuance of 
thy favour, and know that all things shall work together 
for our good. 

Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion. Build thou 
the walls of Jerusalem. And as the churches have rest, 
may they walk in the fear of the Lord, and in the com- 
forts of the Holy Ghost, and be multiplied. 

Preside over our national councils; impart wisdom 
to those who conduct our public affairs; and may all 
the various classes in the community, pursue that righ- 
teousness which exalteth a nation, and forsake that sin 
which is a reproach to any people. 

Regard the services in which we have been engaged 
with the thousands of our Israel; accept of the poor 
and imperfect thanksgivings we have offered; and let 
thy word, which has been dispensed, in aid of the devo- 
tion of the day, accomplish all the good pleasure of thy 
goodness — through Jesus the Lord, our righteousness 
and strength; and in whose words we address thee as 

Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy 
name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 251 

as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and 
forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that tres- 
pass against us; and lead us not into temptation; but 
deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, the 
power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 



FOR RAIN AFTER A DROUGHT. Jay. 

Thou hast never left thyself without witness, but 
hast been continually doing good, even for the unthank- 
ful and unworthy, in giving them rain from heaven, and 
fruitful seasons, and filling their hearts with joy and 
gladness. We acknowledge that the heavens over us 
might have been brass, and the earth under us iron. 
We have justly deserved the calamity; and thy power, 
without a miracle, could have inflicted it; but though thou 
hast tried our patience and awakened our fears, thou hast 
not forgotten to be gracious. We praise thee for send- 
ing us the seasonable and plentiful rain, by which thou 
hast refreshed and revived the drooping fields, so that 
the earth promises to yield her increase. 



FOR FAIR WEATHER AFTER RAIN. Jay. 

O God, thou art good and doest good. Thou hast 
again surpassed our deserts, and been better to us than 
our fears. Thou hast caused the clear shining after 
rain; so that in the meadows the hay appeareth; and 
in the fields, thou art preparing of thy goodness for the 
poor. Thou preservest man and beast. May we feel 
our entire dependence upon thee; and by prayer and 
praise, give thee the glory that is due unto thy holy 
name. 



FOR A GOOD HARVEST. Jay. 

Again thou hast crowned the year with thy goodness. 
The grain might have perished in the earth, or have 
failed of maturity, for want of the showers, and of the 
sunshine; but thou wast pleased to bless the springing 
thereof; and we saw first the blade, then the ear, and 
after that the full corn in the ear. We hailed the val- 
leys standing thick with corn, and heard the little hills 



252 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

rejoicing on every side. In due time the mower filled 
his hands, and the binder of sheaves his bosom; and the 
appointed weeks of harvest have been afforded us to 
gather in the precious produce. O that men would 
praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonder- 
ful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the 
longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with good- 
ness. 

We have again witnessed thy faithfulness and truth 
in the promise — while the earth remaineth, seed time 
and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, 
and day and night, shall not cease — may we learn to 
trust thee in all thy engagements. 

And make us thankful, that, as we have no famine of 
bread, so we have no famine of hearing the word of the 
Lord. With regard to the soul, as well as to the body, 
Thou lillest us with the finest of the wheat. 



FOR THE RESTORATION OF PLENTY. Jenks. 
O God, the Fountain of all goodness! thou didst 
threaten with famine to destroy the blessings of the 
earth, which we have so wickedly abused; but remem- 
bering thy own tender mercies, and not our ill deserts, 
hast raised a new and plentiful supply for us. And now 
thou crownest the year with thy goodness, and thy paths 
drop fatness. Thou hast loaded the earth with the 
fruits of thy bounty, and sent abundance of all good 
things for the service and comfort of man. O make 
us more sensible of the obligation which thy love has 
laid upon us. And as thou fillest us with thy good 
things, so fill our hearts with thy love and grace, to use 
every gift aright to thy glory; that in the use and 
strength of what we are continually receiving from 
thee, we mry devote ourselves to live unto thee, and to 
serve thee with gladness and rejoicing for all thy rich 
mercy to us in Jesus Christ. 



FOR A SAFE RETURN FROM A JOURNEY. Jay. 

As the keeper of Israel Thou hast been with us, not 
only in the house, but by the way. We might have 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 253 

been injured by wicked and unreasonable men. We 
might have been left groaning under the pain of bruised 
or fractured limbs. Our lives might have been spilt, 
like water on the ground, which cannot be gathered up 
again; and the first tidings that reached our friends, 
might have plunged them into anguish. 

Thy mercy, too, in our absence, has been upon our 
tabernacle, and secured it from all evil — O that it may 
be a tabernacle of the righteous; and be ever filled, not 
only with the voice of rejoicing, but of praise. 

And be with us in all the future journey of life; guide 
us by thy counsel, uphold us by thy power; and supply 
all our wants, till we come to our Father's house in 
peace. 



FOR RECOVERY FROM SICKNESS. Jay. 

All our times is in thy hand. All diseases come at 
thy call, and go at thy bidding. Thou redeemest our 
life from destruction, and crownest us with loving kind- 
ness and tender mercies. We bless thee, that thou hast 
heard our prayer, and commanded deliverance for our 
friend and thy servant, who has been under thine af- 
flicting hand. He (or she) was brought low, but thou 
hast helped him: thou hast chastened him sore, but not 
delivered him over unto death. May he not only live, 
but declare the works of the Lord. 

As thou hast delivered his eyes from tears, his feet 
from falling, and his soul from death, may he daily in- 
quire, What shall I render unto the Lord for all his 
benefits towards me? and resolve to offer unto thee, the 
sacrifices of thanksgiving and to call upon the name of 
the Lord. 

And may we ever remember, that a recovery is only 
a reprieve; that the sentence which dooms us to the 
dust is only suspended; and, that at most, when a few 
years are come, we shall go the way whence we shall 
not return. May we therefore secure the one thing 
needful; and live with eternity in view. 



254 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS 

PRAYERS AT TABLE. 



BEFORE MEAT. Jay, 

Almighty God I the eyes of all wait upon thee, and 

thou givest them their meat in due season. Bless, w r e 

beseech thee, the provisions of thine earthly bounty^ 

which are now before us; — and let them nourish and 

strengthen our frail bodies, that we may the better 

serve thee, through Jesus Christ. Amen. 

or thus: 

Bountiful Giver of every good and perfect gift! thou 

art never weary of supplying our returning wants — 

grant, we pray thee, that the food of which we are about 

to partake, may contribute to the comfort and support 

of our bodies, — and enable us to engage with more 

zeal in thy service; which we ask for Jesus Christ's 

sake. Mmen. 

or thus: 

Let thy blessing, Almighty God, descend on this por- 
tion of thy bounty, and on us, thy unworthy servants, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

or thus: 
Almighty God, we beseech thee to pardon our sins; 
to bless the refreshment now before us, to our use, and 
us to thy service, through Jesus Christ. 

or thus: 

Father of Lights, from whom cometh down every 
good and perfect gift, enable us to receive these fruits 
of thy bounty with humility and gratitude, and give us 
grace, that, whether we eat or drink, or whatever we 
do, we may do all to thy glory, and be accepted through 
the great Redeemer. 

or thus: 

Bounteous God, we acknowledge our dependence on 
thee, and our unworthiness of thy benefits. We pray 
thee to forgive our sins; to bless us in the reception of 
this food, and enable us to improve the strength we may 
derive from it to thy glory, for Christ's sake. 



FOR PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 255 



OR thus: 
Sanctify, O Lord, we beseech thee, these thy produc- 
tions to our use, and us to thy service, through Jesus 
Christ, our Lord. Amen* 



AFTER MEAT. Jay. 

We thank thee, O God, our heavenly Father! for the 
innumerable good gifts of thy providence. Especially 
do we thank thee for the rich provision thou hast made 
for our souls — accept our grateful acknowledgments 
for the food we have now received; and enable us to 
prove our sincerity by the holiness and obedience of our 
lives, for the sake of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 

or thus: 

What shall we render to thee, O God, for all thy be- 
nefits? Every day of our lives we are receiving JVesh 
tokens of thy favour. O, let thy goodness lead us to 
repentance. And if we can do no more than express 
our gratitude, help us to do that in the sincerity of our 
souls, and thine shall be the glory, for ever, through 
iJesus Christ. Amen. 
I or thus: 

Accept, heavenly Father, our humble thanks for this, 
and for all thy blessings through Jesus Christ. 

or thus: 

We thank thee, our heavenly Father, for the rich pro- 
vision thou hast made for our temporal and eternal 
welfare; especially for the food we have now received. 
May thy goodness lead us to repentance, and thy grace 
prepare us for heavenly entertainments, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. 

or thus: 

We praise thee, O Lord, for the provisions of thy 
providence and grace, and in particular for this renewed 
token of thy favour. May we feel our increased obliga- 
tions to be thine, and be fitted at length, to eat bread in 
thy heavenly kingdom, through our Lord Jesus Christ. 



256 PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS. 



or thus: 
We bless thee, O Lord, for this kind refreshment- 
Be pleased to continue thy favours and feed us with the 
bread of life. Supply the wants of the needy, and enable 
us, while we live on thy bounty, to live to thy glory, 
for Christ's sake. Amen. 

or thus: 
Blessed and praised be thy holy name, O Lord, for 
this and all thy other blessings, bestowed upon us 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen, 



HYMNS 

CHIEFLY ADAPTED TO FAMILY WORSHIP, 



MORNING HYMNS. 

1 HYMN. CM. 

1 ONCE more, my soul, the rising day- 

Salutes thy waking eyesf 
Once more, my voice, thy tribute pay 
To Him who rules the skies. 

2 Night unto night his name repeats! 

The day renews the sound, 
Wide as the heavens on which he sits 
To turn the seasons round. 

3 'Tis he supports my mortal frame: 

My tongue shall speak his praises 
My sins would rouse his wrath to flame, 
And yet his wrath delays. 

4 How many wretched souls have fled 

Since the last setting sun! 
And yet thou lengthenest out my thread, 
And yet my moments run. 

5 Great God, let all my hours be thine, 

While I enjoy the light; 
Then shall my sun in smiles decline, 
And bring a peaceful night. 

2 HYMN. L. M. 

1 AWAKE, my soul, and with the sun 
Thy daily stage of duty run; 
Shake oft dull sloth — and joyful rise 
To pay thy morning sacrifice. 

2 Glory to thee, who safe hast kept, 
And hast refreshed me while I slept: 
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake, 
I may of endless life partake. 

y2 



258 MORNING HYMNS. 

3 Direct, control, suggest, this day, 
All I design, or do, or say; 
That all my powers, with all their might, 
In thy sole glory may unite. 

3 HYMN. L. M. 

1 GOD of the morning, at thy voice 

The cheerful sun makes haste to rise, 
And like a giant doth rejoice 

To run his journey through the skies. 

2 Oh! like the sun may I fulfil 

Th' appointed duties of the day; 
With ready mind, and active will, 

March on, and keep my heavenly way. 

3 Lord, thy commands are clean and pure, 

Enlightening our beclouded eyes; 
Thy threatenings just— thy promise sure; 
Thy gospel makes the simple wise. 

4 Give me thy counsels for my guide, 

And then receive me to thy bliss; 
All my desires and hopes beside 

Are faint and cold compared with this. 

4r HYMN. CM. 

1 GOD of my life, my morning song 

To thee I cheerful raise: 
Thy acts of love 'tis good to sing, 
And pleasant 'tis to praise. 

2 Preserv'd by thy almighty arm, 

I pass'd the shades of night, 
Serene, and safe from every harm, 
To see the morning light. 

5 While numbers spent the night in sighs, 

And restless pains and woes, 

In gentle sleep I closed my eyes, 

And rose from sweet repose. 

4 Oh let the same almighty care 

Through all this day attend: 

From every danger — every snare. 

My heedless steps defend. 



MORNING HYMNS. 259 

5 Smile on my minutes as they roll, 
And guide my future days; 
And let thy goodness fill my soul 
With gratitude and praise. 

5 HYMN. 7's. 

1 THOU that dost my life prolong, 
Kindly aid my morning song; 
Thankful from my couch I rise, 
To the God that rules the skies. 

2 Thou didst hear my evening cry; 
Thy preserving hand was nigh; 
Peaceful slumbers thou hast shed, 
Grateful to my weary head. 

3 Thou hast kept me through the night; 
'Twas thy hand restor'd the light: 
Lord, thy mercies still are new, 
Plenteous as the morning dew. 

4 Still my feet are prone to stray; 
Oh! preserve me through the day: 
Dangers every where abound; 
Sins and snares beset me round. 

5 Gently, with the dawning ray, 
On my soul thy beams display; 
Sweeter than the smiling morn, 
Let thy cheering light return. 

6 HYMN. L. M. 

God our defence. 

1 O LORD, how many are my foes, 

In this weak state of flesh and blood; 
My peace they daily discompose, 
But my defence and hope is God. 

2 Tired with the burdens of the day, 

To thee I raised an evening cry; 
Thou heardst, when I began to pray, 
And thine almighty help was nigh. 

3 Supported by thine heavenly aid, 

I laid me down and slept secure: 
Not death should make my heart afraid, 
Though I should wake and rise no more. 



260 MORNING HYMNS. 

4 But God sustained me all the night; 
Salvation doth to God belong: 
He raised my head to see the light, 
And makes his praise my morning song. 

*7 HYMN. C. M. 

1 THOU, gracious Lord, art my defence; 

On thee my hopes rely; 
Thou art my glory, and shalt yet 
Lift up my head on high. 

2 Guarded by him, I laid me down, 

My sweet repose to take; 
For I through him securely sleep, 
Through him in safety wake. 

3 Salvation to the Lord belongs; 

He only can defend; 
His blessing he extends to all, 
That on his power depend. 

8 HYMN. S. M. 

Prayer for spiritual Light* 

1 WE lift our hearts to Thee, 

Thou Day-Star from on high; 
The sun itself is but thy shade, 
Yet cheers both earth and sky. 

2 O, let thy rising beams 

Dispel the shades of night; 
And let the glories of thy love 
Come like the morning light. 

3 How beauteous nature now! 

How dark and sad before! 
With joy we view the pleasing change, 
And nature's God adore. 

4 May we this life improve 

To mourn for errors past; 
And live this short revolving day 
As if it were our last. 

9 HYMN. S. M. 

Morning Meditation. 

1 AWAKE my drowsy soul, 
These airy visions chase; 



MORNING HYMNS. 261 

Awake, my active pow'rs, renew'd, 
To run the heav'nly race. 

2 See how the rising sun 

Pursues his shining way; 
And wide proclaims his Maker's praise. 
With ev'ry bright'ning ray! 

3 Thus would my rising soul 

Her heav'nly parent sing; 
And to her great original 
Her humble tribute bring. 

4 Serene, I laid me down 

Beneath his guardian care; 
I slept, and I awoke, and found 
My kind preserver near. 

5 Dear Saviour, to thy cross, 

I bring my sacrifice; 
Ting'd with thy blood, it shall ascend 
With fragrance to the skies. 

||* HYMN. C. M. 

-■-" God's Goodness renewed every Morning and Evening. 

1 GREAT GOD! my early vows to thee 

With gratitude I'll bring; 
And at the rosy dawn of day 
Thy lofty praises sing. 

2 Thou, round the heavenly arch dost draw 

A dark and sable veil, 
And all the beauties of the world, 
From mortal eyes conceal. 

3 Again the sky with golden beams 

Thy skilful hands adorn, 
And paint, with cheerful splendour gay 
The fair ascending morn. 

4 And as the gloomy night returns, 

Or smiling day renews, 
Thy constant goodness still my soul 
With benefits pursues. 

5 For this will I my vows to thee 

With ev'ning incense bring; 
And at the rosy dawn of day 
Thy lofty praises sing. 



262 MORNING HYMNS. 

5 11 HYMN.&8. 8. 6. 

1 ONCE more my eyes behold the day, 
And to my God, my soul would pay 

Its tributary lays: 
O may the life preserved by thee, 
With all its powers and blessings be 

Devoted to thy praise. 

2 Beneath the shadow of thy wings, 
(Israel's great Keeper, King of kings) 

My weary head found rest: 
No dire alarms, or racking pains, 
Devouring flames, or galling chains, 

Disturb my peaceful breast. 

3 How many, since I laid me down 
Have launch'd into a world unknown, 

To meet a dreadful doom; 
While some on watery billows toss'd, 
Or wand'ring on an unknown coast, 

Have sigh'd in vain for home. 

4 But, I am spared to see thy face, 
A monument of saving grace, 

And live to praise thy name: 
Still be thou near, my gracious Lord, 
To keep and guide; — and by thy word 

Peace to my soul proclaim. 

5 Let me enjoy thy presence here, 
In ev'ry storm my heart to cheer, 

Till thou shalt bid me rise, 
Where sin and sorrow never come, 
Till at my blest eternal home, 

I wake in sweet surprise. 



12 



HYMN. C. M. 

The fear of God. Pro v. xxiii. 17. 

1 THRICE happy souls, who, born of heav'n, 

While yet they sojourn here, 
Humbly begin their days with God, 
And spend them in his fear. 

2 So may our eyes with holy zeal 

Prevent the dawning day; 



EVENING HYMNS. 26, 

And turn the sacred pages o'er, 
And praise thy name and pray. 

3 Midst hourly cares may love present 

Its incense to thy throne; 
And, while the world our hands employs, 
Our hearts be thine alone. 

4 At night we lean our weary heads 

On thy paternal breast; 
And, safely folded in thine arms, 
Resign our powers to rest. 

5 In solid, pure delights, like these, 

Let all my clays be past; 
Nor shall I then impatient wish, 
Nor shall I fear the last. 

13 HYMN. 7's. 

1 NOW the shades of night are gone; 
Now the morning light is come; 
Lord, may I be thine to-day — 
Drive the shades of sin away. 

2 Fill my soul with heav'nly light, 
Banish doubt, and cleanse my sight; 
In thy service, Lord, to-day, 

Help me labour, help me pray. 

3 Keep my haughty passions bound — 
Save me from my foes around; 
Going out and coming in, 

Keep me safe from ev'ry sin. 

4 When my work of life is past, 
Oh! receive me then at last! 
Night of sin will be no more, 
W T hen I reach the heav'nly shore. 



EVENING HYMNS. 

14: L. M. 

1 THUS far the Lord has led me on; 

Thus far his power prolongs my days; 
And ev'ry evening shall make known 

Some fresh memorial of his grace. 



264 EVENING HYMNS. 

2 Much of my time has run to waste, 

And I, perhaps, am near my home; 
But he forgives my follies past; 

He gives me strength for days to come. 

3 I lay my body down to sleep; 

Peace is the pillow for my head; 
While well appointed angels keep 

Their watchful stations round my bed. 

4 Thus, when the night of death shall come, 

My flesh shall rest beneath the ground, 
And wait thy voice to break my tomb, 
With sweet salvation in the sound. 

15 HYMN. CM. 

1 DREAD Sov'reign, let my ev'ning song 

Like holy incense rise; 
Assist the offering of my tongue 
To reach the lofty skies. 

2 Through all the dangers of the day 

Thy hand was still my guard; 
And still to drive my wants away, 
Thy mercy stood prepar'd. 

3 Perpetual blessings from above 

Encompass me around, 
But oh! how few returns of love 
Hath my Redeemer found! 

4 What have I done for him who died 

To save my guilty soul? 

Alas! my sins are multiplied, 

Fast as my minutes roll! 

5 Yet, with this guilty heart of mine, 

Lord, to thy cross I flee, 
And to thy grace my soul resign, 
To be renew'd by thee. 

16 HYMN. S. M. 

1 GREAT God, to thee my evening song 
With humble gratitude I raise; 
Oh let thy mercy tune my tongue, 
And fill my heart with lively praise. 



EVENING HYMNS. 265 

2 My days unclouded as they pass, 

And ev'ry gently rolling hour, 
Are monuments of wondrous grace, 
And witness to thy love and pow'r. 

3 Thy love and pow'r, celestial guard, 

Preserve me from surrounding harm: 
Can danger reach me while the Lord 
Extends his kind, protecting arm? 

4 Let this blest hope my eyelids close; 

With sleep refresh my feeble frame; 
Safe in thy care may I repose, 
And wake with praises to thy name. 

1TI HYMN. L. M. 

1 GLORY to thee, my God, this night, 
For all the blessings of the light; 
Keep me, oh keep me, King of kings, 
Beneath thine own almighty wings. 

2 Forgive me Lord, for thy dear Son, 
The ill that I this day have done; 
That with the world, myself, and thee, 
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be. 

3 Let my blest Guardian, while I sleep, 
His watchful station near me keep, 
My heart with love celestial fill, 

And guard me from th' approach of ill. 

4 Teach me to live, that I may dread 
The grave as little as my bed; 
Teach me to die, that so I may 
Rise glorious at the awful day. 

18 HYMN. C. M. 

1 INDULGENT God, whose bounteous care 

O'er all thy works is shown, 
Oh let my grateful praise and prayer 
Arise before thy throne. 

2 What mercies has this day bestow'd! 

How largely hast thou blest! 
My cup with plenty overflow'd, 
With cheerfulness my breast. 
z 



266 EVENING HYMNS. 

3 Now may soft slumber close my eyes, 

From pain and sickness free; 
And let my waking thoughts arise, 
To meditate on thee. 

4 Thus bless each future day and night, 

Till life's vain scene is o'er; 
And then to realms of endless light, 
Oh let my spirit soar. 

19 HYMN. S. M. 

1 ANOTHER day is past, 

The hours forever fled; 
And time is bearing me away, 
To mingle with the dead. 

2 My mind in perfect peace 

My Father's care shall keep; 
I yield to gentle slumber now, 
For thou canst never sleep. 

3 How blessed, Lord, are they 

On thee securely stayed! 
Nor shall they be in life alarmed, 
Nor be in death dismayed. 



20 



HYMN. S. M. 



THE day is past and gone, 

The evening shades appear; 
Oh, may I ever keep in mind, 

The night of death draws near. 
Lord, keep me safe this night, 

Secure from all my fears; 
May angels guard me while I sleep, 

Till morning light appears. 

And when I early rise, 

To view th' unwearied sun, 
May I set out to win the prize, 

And after glory run. 
Lord, when my days are past, 

And I from time remove, 
Oh may I in thy bosom rest, 

The bosom of thy love. 



EVENING HYMNS. 267 

21 HYMN. 7's. 

1 SOFTLY now the light of day 
Fades upon my sight away; 
Free from care — from labour free, 
Lord, I would commune with thee. 

2 Soon, for me, the light of day 
Shall for ever pass away: 
Then from sin and sorrow free, 
Take me, Lord, to dwell with thee ! 

00 HYMN. CM. 

JmJm Evening Prayer and Praise. 

1 INDULGENT Father, by whose care, 

I've pass'd another day, 
Let me this night thy mercy share; 
O, teach me how to pray. 

2 Show me my sins, that I may mourn 

My guilt before thy face; 
Direct me, Lord, to Christ alone, 
And save me by thy grace. 

3 Let each returning night declare 

The tokens of thy love; 
And ev'ry hour thy grace prepare 
My soul for joys above. 

4 And when on earth I close mine eyes, 

To sleep in death's embrace, 
Let me to heav'n and glory rise, 
To see thy smiling face. 

OO HYMN. 7s. 

^■O Evening Communion with God. 

1 NOW, from labour and from care, 
Twilight shades have set me free; 
In the work of praise and pray'r, 
Lord, I would converse with thee. 
O, behold me from above, 

Fill me with a Saviour's love. 

2 Sin and sorrow, guilt and wo, 
Wither all my earthly joys; 
Nought can charm me here below, 
But my Saviour's melting voice. 
Lord, forgive; thy grace restore, 
Make me thine for evermore. 



268 EVENING HYMNS. 

3 For the blessings of this day, 
For the mercies of this hour, 
For the gospel's cheering ray, 
For the Spirit's quick'ning pow'r, 
Grateful notes to thee I raise; 
O, accept my song of praise. 

24r HYMN. C. M. 

1 IN mercy, Lord, remember me, 

Through all the hours of night, 
And grant to me most graciously 
The safeguard of thy might. 

2 With cheerful heart I close my eyes 

Since thou wilt not remove: 
Oh, in the morning let me rise 
Rejoicing in thy love! 

3 Or, if this night should prove the last, 

And end my transient days; 
Lord, take me to thy promis'd rest, 
Where I may sing thy praise, 

25 HYMN. C. M. 

1 FATHER, by saints on earth ador'd, 

By saints beyond the skies, 
Accept, through Jesus Christ, our Lord* 
Our ev'ning sacrifice. 

2 If kept to-day from wilful sin, 

We magnify thy grace; 
Thou hast our kind preserver beenj 
And thine be all the praise. 

3 We live to testify the grace, 

Which sure salvation brings; 
And sink to night in thine embrace, 
And rest beneath thy wings. 

4 But whether, Lord, we wake or sleep, 

The charge of love divine, 
We trust thy Providence to keep 
Our souls for ever thine. 

2G HYMN. 8's&7's. 

1 SAVIOUR, breathe an evening blessing, 
Ere repose our spirits seal: 



EVENING HYMNS. 269 

Sin and want we come confessing, 

Thou canst save, and thou canst heal. 
Though destruction walk around us, 

Though the arrow past us fly, 
Angel-guards from thee surround us, 

We are safe, if thou art nigh. 
Though the night be dark and dreary, 

Darkness cannot hide from thee; 
Thou art He who, never weary, 

Watchest where thy people be; 
Should swift death this night o'ertake us, 

And our couch become our tomb; 
May the morn in heav'n awake us, 

Clad in light and deathless bloom! 



21 



HYMN. CM. 



1 O LORD, another day is flown, 

And we, a lonely band, 
Are met once more before thy throne, 
To bless thy fost'ring hand. 

2 And wilt thou bend a list'ning ear 

To praises low as ours? 
Thou wilt! for thou dost love to hear 
The song which meekness pours. 

3 And, Jesus, thou thy smiles wilt deign, 

As we before thee pray; 
For thou didst bless the infant train, 
And we are less than they. 

4 Oh, let thy grace perform its part, 

And let contention cease; 
And shed abroad in ev'ry heart 
Thine everlasting peace. 

28 HYMN. L. M. 

1 THE night shall hear me raise my song, 
And in her silent courts my tongue 
Shall pour the solitary lay, 

For all the mercies of the day. 

2 Nor will my God disdain to hear 

The sigh I breathe — the fervent pray'r: 
z2 



270 EVENING HYMNS. 

When, sinking to oblivious rest, 
I seek the pillow of his breast. 
3 And when the blushing morn shall rise, 
To tinge with gold the eastern skies; 
With strength renew'd, my thankful lay 
Shall hail the new-born beams of day. 

29 HYMN. 8's. 

1 INSPIRER and Hearer of pray'r, 

Before whom a sinner may bend; 
My all to thy covenant care, 
I sleeping or waking commend. 

2 If thou art my shield and my sun, 

The night is no darkness to me; 
And fast as my moments roll on, 
They bring me but nearer to thee. 

3 From evil secure, and its dread, 

I rest, if my Saviour be nigh; 
And songs his kind presence indeed, 
Shall in the night season supply. 

4 He smiles, and my comforts abound; 

His grace as the dew shall descend; 
And walls of salvation surround 
The soul he delights to defend. 

30 HYMN. C. M. 

1 IN all my vast concerns with thee, 

In vain my soul would try 
To shun thy presence, Lord, or flee 
The notice of thine eye. 

2 Thy all-surrounding sight surveys 

My rising and my rest, 
My public walks, my private ways 
And secrets of my breast. 

3 My thoughts lie open to the Lord 

Before they're form'd within; 
And ere my lips pronounce the word, 
He knows the sense I mean. 

4 Oh wondrous knowledge, deep and high, 

Where can a creature hide? 



EVENING HYMNS. 271 

Within thy circling arms I lie, 
Enclos'd on ev'ry side. 
5 So let thy grace surround me still, 
And like a bulwark prove, 
To guard my soul from ev'ry ill, 
Secur'd by sov'reign love. 

31 HYMN. C. M. 

1 LORD, thou wilt hear me when I pray; 

I am for ever thine: 
I fear before thee all the day, 
Nor would I dare to sin. 

2 And while I rest my weary head, 

From cares and business free, 
'Tis sweet conversing on my bed 
With my own heart and thee. 

3 I pay this evening sacrifice; 

And when my work is done, 
Great God, my faith and hope relies 
Upon thy grace alone. 

4 Thus with my thoughts compos'd to peace, 

I'll give mine eyes to sleep; 
Thy hand in safety keeps my days, 
And will my slumbers keep. 

ffj HYMN. C. M. 

i&Jd Saturday Night. 

1 BEGONE, my worldly cares, away, 

Nor dare to tempt my sight; 
Let me begin th' ensuing day, 
Before I end this night. 

2 Yes, let the work of pray'r and praise 

Employ my heart and tongue; 
Begin, my soul; — thy Sabbath days 
Can never be too long. 

3 Let the past mercies of the week 

Excite a grateful frame; 
Nor let my tongue refuse to speak 
Some good of Jesus' name. 

4 On wings of expectation borne, 

My hopes to heav'n ascend; 



272 MORNING OR EVENING HYMNS. 

I long to welcome in the morn, 
With thee the day to spend. 

<r»*j HYMN. 7's. 

00 Sabbath-Eve. Heb. iv. 9. 

1 SAFELY through another week, 
God has brought us on our way; 
Let us now a blessing seek, 

On th' approaching Sabbath day. 
Day of all the week the best, 
Emblem of eternal rest. 

2 When the morn shall bid us rise, 
May we feel thy presence near! 
May thy glory meet our eyes 
When we in thy house appear! 
There afford us, Lord, a taste 

Of our everlasting feast. 



MORNING OR EVENING HYMNS. 

r*m HYMN. L. M. 

Ux A Hymn for Morning or Evening. 

1 MY God, how endless is thy love! 

Thy gifts are ev'ry evening new; 
And morning mercies from above 
Gently distil like early dew. 

2 Thou spread'st the curtains of the night, 

Great Guardian of my sleeping hours; 
Thy sov'reign word restores the light, 
And quickens all my drowsy pow'rs. 

3 I yield my pow'rs to thy command, 

To thee I consecrate my days; 
Perpetual blessings from thine hand 
Demand perpetual songs of praise. 

3& HYMN. CM. 

1 HOSANNA, with a cheerful sound, 
To God's upholding hand; 
Ten thousand snares attend us round, 
And yet secure we stand. 



MORNING OR EVENING HYMNS. 273 

2 That was a most amazing- pow'r 

That rais'd us with a word; 
And ev'ry day, and ev'ry hour. 
We lean upon the Lord. 

3 The rising morn cannot assure 

That we shall end the day; 
For death stands ready at the door 
To hurry us away. 

4 Our life is forfeited by sin 

To God's avenging law; 
We own thy grace, immortal King, 
In ev'ry breath we draw. 

5 God is our sun — whose daily light 

Our joy and safety brings; 
Our feeble frame lies safe at night, 
Beneath his shady wings. 

3G HYMN. C. M. 

1 ON thee, each morning, O my God, 

My waking thoughts attend; 
In thee are founded all my hopes, 
In thee my wishes end. 

2 My soul, in pleasing wonder lost, 

Thy boundless love surveys; 
And, fir'd with grateful zeal, prepares 
A sacrifice of praise. 

3 When ev'ning slumbers press my eyes, 

With his protection blest, 
In peace and safety I commit 
My weary limbs to rest. 

4 My spirit, in his hand secure, 

Fears no approaching ill; 
For, whether waking or asleep, 
Thou, Lord, art with me still. 

HYMN. L. M. 

Daily Devotion. 

1 MY God, accept my early vows, 
Like morning incense in thine house; 
And let my nightly worship rise, 
Sweet as the ev'ning sacrifice. 



3? 



274 FAMILY RELIGION. 

2 Watch o'er my lips, and guard them, Lord, 
From ev'ry rash and heedless word; 

Nor let my feet incline to tread 
The guilty path, where sinners lead. 

3 Oh, may the righteous, when I stray, 
Smite, and reprove my wandering way; 
Their gentle words, like ointment shed, 
Shall never bruise, but cheer my head. 

4 When I behold them press'd with grief, 
I'll cry to heaven for their relief; 

And by my warm petitions, prove 
How much I prize their faithful love. 



FAMILY RELIGION, 



HYMN. L. M. 



38 

1 FATHER of all, thy care we bless, 
Which crowns our families with peace; 
From thee they spring, and by thy hand 
They have been, and are still sustain'd. 

2 To God, most worthy to be prais'd, 
Be our domestic altars rais'd; 

Who, Lord of heav'n, scorns not to dwell 
With saints in their obscurest cell. 

3 To thee may each united house, 
Morning and night present its vows; 
Our servants there, and rising race, 
Be taught thy precepts, and thy grace. 

4 Oh, may each future age proclaim 
The honours of thy glorious name; 
While, pleas'd and thankful, we remove 
To join the family above. 



39 



HYMN. S. M. 
Love to the Brethren. 



BLEST be the tie that binds 
Our hearts in Christian love; 

The fellowship of kindred minds 
Is like to that above. 



FAMILY RELIGION. 275 

2 Before our Father's throne 

We pour our ardent prayers; 
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, 
Our comforts, and our cares. 

3 We share our mutual woes: 

Our mutual burdens bear; 
And often from each other flows 
The sympathizing tear. 

4 When we asunder part, 

It gives us inward pain; 
But we shall still be join'd in heart, 
And hope to meet again. 

5 This glorious hope revives 

Our courage by the way; 
While each in expectation lives, 
And longs to see the day. 

6 From sorrow, toil, and pain, 

And sin, we shall be free; 
And perfect love and friendship reign 
Through all eternity. 

4:0 HYMN. CM. 

1 LO! what an entertaining sight, 

Those friendly brethren prove, 
Whose cheerful hearts in bands unite, 
Of harmony and love! 

2 Where streams of bliss from Christ the spring, 

Descend to every soul; 
And heav'nly peace, with balmy wing, 
Shades and bedews the whole. 

3 'Tis pleasant as the morning dews 

That fall on Zion's hill, 
Where God his mildest glory shows, 
And makes his grace distil. 

41 HYMN. S. M. 

1 BLEST are the sons of peace, 

Whose hearts and hopes are one; 
Whose kind designs to serve and please 
Through all their actions run. 



276 FAMILY RELIGION". 

2 Blest is the pious house, 

Where zeal arid friendship meet; 
Their songs of praise — their mingled vows, 
Make their communion sweet. 

3 From those celestial springs 

Such streams of pleasure flow, 
As no increase of riches brings, 
Nor honours can bestow. 

4 Thus on the heav'nly hills 

The saints are blest above; 
Where joy, like morning dew, distils, 
And all the air is love. 

4:2 HYMN. S. P. M. 

1 HOW pleasant 'tis to see 
Kindred and friends agree, 

Each in his proper station move; 

And each fulfil his part, 

With sympathizing heart, 
In all the cares of life and love! 

2 Like fruitful showers of rain, 
That water all the plain, 

Descending from the neighbouring hills; 

Such streams of pleasure roll 

Through every friendly soul, 
Where love, like heav'nly dew, distils. 

4:3 HYMN. CM. 

1 AUTHOR of good — to thee we turn: 

Thine ever wakeful eye 
Alone can all our wants discern — 
Thy hand alone supply. 

2 O let thy love within us dwell, 

Thy fear our footsteps guide; 
That love shall vainer loves expel, 
That fear all fears beside. 

3 And O, by error's force subdued, 

Since oft, by stubborn will, 
We blindly shun the latent good, 
And grasp the specious ill; — 



FAMILY RELIGION. 277 

4 Not what we wish — but what we want, 
Let mercy still supply: 
The good we ask not, Father, grant — 
The ill we ask — deny. 

4:4: HYMN. CM. 

1 GOD of our fathers! by whose hand 

Thy people still are blest, 
Be with us through our pilgrimage, 
Conduct us to our rest. 

2 Through each perplexing path of life 

Our wandering footsteps guide; 
Give us each day our daily bread, 
And raiment fit provide. 

3 O spread thy sheltering wings around. 

Till all our wanderings cease, 
And at our Father's lov'd abode 
Our souls arrive in peace. 

4 Such blessings from thy gracious hand 

Our humble prayers implore; 
And thou, the Lord, shalt be our God, 
And portion evermore. 

4:5 HYMN. L. M. 

1 THOU, Lord, through every changing scene, 
Kast to the saints a refuge been; 
Through every age, eternal God! 

Their pleasing home — their safe abode. 

2 In thee our fathers sought their rest, 
And were with thy protection blest; 
Behold their sons, a feeble race! 
We come to fill our fathers' place. 

3 Through all the thorny paths we tread, 
Ere we are number'd with the dead, 
When friends desert — and foes invade, 
Be thou our all-sufficient aid! 

4 And when this pilgrimage is o'er, 
And we must dwell on earth no more, 
To thee, great God! may we ascend, 
And find an everlasting Friend. 

2a 



278 SABBATH MORNING. 

5 To thee our infant race we'll leave; 
Them may their fathers' God receive; 
That voices, yet unform'd, may raise 
Succeeding hymns of humble praise , 



SABBATH MORNING. 

40 HYMN. CM. 

1 LORD, in the morning thou shalt hear 

My voice ascending high; 
To thee will I direct my prayer, 
To thee lift up mine eye; — 

2 Up to the hills, where Christ is gone 

To plead for all his saints, 
Presenting at his Father's throne 
Our songs and our complaints. 

3 Thou art a God, before whose sight 

The wicked shall not stand; 
Sinners shall ne'er be thy delight,. 
Nor dwell at thy right hand. 

4 But to thy house will I resort, 

To taste thy mercies there; 
I will frequent thine holy court. 
And worship in thy fear. 

5 Oh may thy Spirit guide my feet 

In ways of righteousness, 
Make every path of duty straight, 
And plain before my face. 

4:7 HYMN. CM. 

1 SOON as the morning rays appear, 

I'll lift my eyes above; 
My voice shall reach thy listening ear, 
And supplicate thy love. 

2 Within thy house my voice shall rise 

Before thy mercy-seat; 
There will I fix my steadfast eyes, 
And worship at thy feet. 



1SARBATH MORNING. 279 

In righteousness thy strength display, 

And my protection be; 
Teach. me to know that only way, 

Which leads to heav'n and thee. 



HYMN. S. M. 
The Sabbath welcomed. 



4S 

1 WELCOME, sweet day of rest, 

That saw the Lord arise; 
Welcome to this reviving' breast, 
And these rejoicing eyes! 

2 Jesus himself comes near, 

And feasts his saints to-day; 
Here we may sit, and see him here. 
And love, and praise, and pray. 

3 One day, amid the place 

Where God my Saviour's been, 
Is sweeter than ten thousand days 
Of pleasure and of sin. 

4 My willing soul would stay 

In such a frame as this, 
Till calPd to rise, and soar away, 
To everlasting bliss. 

49 HYMN. P.M. 

1 WELCOME, delightful mornJ 

Thou day of sacred rest; 
I hail thy kind return; 

Lord make these moments blest, 
From low delights, and mortal toys, 
I soar to reach immortal joys. 

2 Now may the King descend, 

And fill his throne of grace; 
Thy sceptre, Lord, extend, 

While saints address thy face; 
Let sinners feel thy quick'ning word, 
And learn to know and fear the Lord* 

3 Descend, celestial Dove, 

With all thy quick'ning powers^ 
Disclose a Saviour's love^ 

And bless these sacred hours* 



280 SABBATH MORNING. 

Then shall my soul new life obtain, 
Nor Sabbath be indulg'd in vain. 

50 HYMN. 10's. 

1 HAIL, happy day! thou day of holy rest, 

What heav'nly peace and transport fill our breast! 
When Christ, the God of grace, in love descends, 
And kindly holds communion with his friends. 

2 Let earth and all its vanities be gone, 

Move from my sight, and leave my soul alone: 
Its flattering, fading glories I despise, 
And to immortal beauties turn my eyes. 

3 Fain would I mount and penetrate the skies, 
And on my Saviour's glories fix my eyes: 
Oh! meet my rising sou!, thou God of love, 
And waft it to the blissful realms above! 

MHYMN. L. M. 
The Rest of the Sabbath. 

1 ANOTHER six days' work is done; 
Another Sabbath is begun: 
Return, my soul — enjoy thy rest; 
Improve the day thy God has blest. 

2 Oh that our thoughts and thanks may rise, 
As grateful incense, to the skies; 

And draw from heav'n that sweet repose, 
Which none but he that feels it knows. 

3 This heav'nly calm within the breast! 
The dearest pledge of glorious rest, 
Which for the church of God remains — 
The end of cares — the end of pains. 

4 With joy, great God, thy works we view, 
In varied scenes, both old and new; 
W T ith praise, we think on mercies past; 
With hope, we future pleasures taste. 

5 In holy duties let the day — 
In holy pleasures, pass away; 

How sweet, a Sabbath thus to spend, 
In hope of one that ne'er shall end! 



SABBATH MORNING. 2-81 



HYMN. CM. 



I COME, let us join with sweet accord j 
In hymns around the throne; 
This is the day our rising Lord 
Hath made, and call'd his own. 

2 This is the day which God hath blest, 
The brightest of the seven; 
Type of that everlasting rest, 
The saints enjoy in heav'iL 

re* HYMN. L.M. 

£3*3 Preparation for the Duties of the Sabbath implortd, 

1 COME, dearest Lord, and bless this day, 
Come, bear our thoughts from earth away; 
Now, let our noblest passions rise 

With ardour to their native skies. 

2 Come, Holy Spirit, all divine, 
With rays of light upon us shine; 
And let our waiting souls be blest, 
On this sweet day of sacred rest. 

3 Then, when our Sabbaths here are o'er, 
And we arrive on Canaan's shore, 
With all the ransom'd, we shall spend 
A Sabbath which shall never end. 

JS4: HYMN. L.M.- 

1 GREAT God! this sacred day of thine 

Demands the soul's collected pow'rs; 
With joy we now to thee resign 

These solemn, consecrated hours: 
Oh may our souls adoring own 
The grace that calls us to thy throne, 

2 All-seeing God! thy piercing eye 

Can every secret thought explore; 
May worldly cares our bosoms fly, 

And where thou art intrude no more: 
'Oh may thy grace our spirits move, 
And fix our minds on things above! 

3 Thy Spirit's powerful aid impart, 

And bid thy word, with life divine, 
2a2 



282 SABBATH MORNIXG. 

Engage the ear— and warm the heart; 
Then shall the day indeed be thine: 
Our souls shall then adoring own 
The grace that calls us to thy throne. 



55 



HYMN. P.M. 

Resurrection of Christ celebrated. 



1 AWAKE, our drowsy souls, 

And burst the slothful band; 
The wonders of this day 

Our noblest songs demand: 
Auspicious morn! thy blissful rays 
Bright seraphs hail, in songs of praise. 

2 At thy approaching dawn, 

Reluctant death resign'd 
The glorious Prince of life, 

In dark domains confin'd: 
Th' angelic host around him bends, 
And midst their shouts the God ascends. 

3 All hail, triumphant Lord! 

Heav'n with hosannas rings; 
While earth, in humbler strains, 

Thy praise responsive sings! 
" Worthy art thou, who once wast slain 
Through endless years to live and reign." 

4 Gird on, great God, thy sword, 

Ascend thy conqu'ring car, 
While justice, truth, and love, 

Maintain the glorious war: 
Victorious, thou thy foes shalt tread, 
And sin and hell in triumph lead. 

56 HYMN. CM. 

1 AGAIN the Lord of life and light 

Awakes the kindling ray; 
Dispels the darkness of the night, 
And pours increasing day. 

2 Oh! what a night was that, which wrapt 

A sinful world in gloom! 
Oh! what a Sun, which broke, this day, 
Triumphant from the tomb! 



SABBATH MORNING. 283 

This day be grateful homage paid, 

And loud hosannas sung; 
Let gladness dwell in every heart, 
And praise on ev'ry tongue. 
4 Ten thousand thousand lips shall join 
To hail this welcome morn, 
Which scatters blessings from its wings 
To nations yet unborn. 

57 HYMN. 7's. 

1 SAFELY through another week, 

God has brought us on our way; 
Let us now a blessing seek, 

Waiting in his courts to-day: 
Day of all the week the best, 
Emblem of eternal rest. 

2 While we seek supplies of grace, 

Through the dear Redeemer's name; 

Show thy reconciling face- 
Take away our sin and shame; 

From our worldly cares set free, 

May we rest this day in thee. 

3 May the gospel's joyful sound 

Conquer sinners — comfort saints; 
Make the fruits of grace abound, 

Bring relief from all complaints: 
Thus let all our Sabbaths prove, 
Till we join the church above. 

pr ^ HYMN. 7's. 

OS ffie Sabbath Morning. 

1 IN this calm impressive hour, 
Let my pray'r ascend on high; 
God of mercy, God of pow'r, 
Hear me when to thee I cry: 
Hear me from thy lofty throne, 
For the sake of Christ thy Son. 

2 With this morning's early ray, 
While the shades of night depart, 
Let thy beams of light convey 
Joy and gladness to my heart: 



284 SABBATH MORNING. 

Now o'er all my steps preside, 
And for all my wants provide. 
3 O what joy that word affords, 

" Thou shalt reign o'er all the earth;" 
King of kings, and Lord of lords, 
Send thy gospel heralds forth: 
Now begin thy boundless sway, 
Usher in the glorious day. 

«LQ HYMN. CM. 

** ** The Resurrection Sabbath. 

1 BLEST morning, whose first dawning rays 

Beheld our rising God; 
That saw him triumph o'er the dust, 
And leave his dark abode! 

2 In the cold prison of the tomb 

Our dear Redeemer lay, 
Till the revolving skies had brought 
The third, th' appointed day. 

3 Hell and the grave unite their force 

To hold our God in vain; 
The sleeping conqueror arose, 
And burst their feeble chain. 

4 To thy great name, Almighty Lord, 

These sacred hours we pay, 
And loud hosannas shall proclaim 
The triumph of the day. 

60 HYMN. C. M. 

1 WHEN, on the third auspicious day, 

While yet the blushing dawn 
Shed forth its earliest smiling ray 
To gild the rising morn; 

2 The "holy women" sought the place 

Where their belov'd was laid, 
And shining angels preach'd the grace 
That rais'd him from the dead; 

3 They hasted from the hallow'd ground, 

Where his dear flesh had lain, 
To tell his mourning friends around, 
That Jesus lives again. 



SABBATH MORNING. 285 

This day, as days of older time, 

Is one of heav'nly joy; 
Good tidings reach to ev'ry clime, 

And ev'ry tongue employ. 



SABBATH EVENING. 

(| 1 HYMN. C. M. 

1 FREQUENT the day of God returns 

To shed its quick'ning beams; 
And yet how slow devotion burns, 
How languid are its flames! 

2 Accept our faint attempts to love, 

Our frailties, Lord, forgive: 
We would be like thy saints above, 
And praise thee while we live. 

3 Increase, O Lord, our faith and hope, 

And fit us to ascend, 
Where the assembly ne'er breaks up 
The Sabbath ne'er shall end; 

4 Where we shall breathe in heav'nly air, 

With heav'nly lustre shine; 
Before the throne of God appear, 
And feast on love divine; 

5 Where we, in high seraphic strains, 

Shall all our pow'rs employ: 
Delighted range th' etherial plains, 
And take our fill of joy. 



HYMN. L. M. 

The Eternal Sabbath. Heb. 



62 

1 THINE earthly Sabbaths, Lord, we love, 
But there's a nobler rest above; 

To that our longing souls aspire, 
With ardent pangs of strong desire. 

2 No more fatigue, no more distress, 
Nor sin, nor hell, shall reach the place; 
No groans to mingle with the songs, 
Which warble from immortal tongues. 



286 SABBATH EVENING. 

3 No rude alarms of raging foes; 
No cares to break the long repose; 
No midnight shade, no clouded sun, 
Obscures the lustre of thy throne. 

4 Around thy throne, grant we may meet, 
And give us but the lowest seat; 

We'll shout thy praise, and join the song 
Of the triumphant, holy throng, 

©3 HYMN. L. M. 

1 IS there a time when moments flow, 

More peacefully than all beside? 
It is, of all the times below, 
A Sabbath eve in summer tide. 

2 O then the setting sun smiles fair, 

And all below, and all above, 
The diff'rent forms of nature wear 
One universal garb of love. 

3 And then the peace that Jesus beams, 

The life of grace, the death of sin, 
With nature's placid woods and streams, 
Is peace without, and peace within. 

4 Delightful scene! a world at rest, 

A God all love, no grief nor fear; 
A heav'nly hope, a peaceful breast, 
A smile unsullied by a tear. 

5 If heav'n be ever felt below, 

A scene so heav'nly, sure, as this, 
May cause a heart on earth to know 
Some foretaste of celestial bliss. 

6 Delightful hour, how soon will night 

Spread her dark mantle o'er thy reign; 
And morrow's quick returning light 
Must call us to the world again. 

7 Yet will there dawn at last a day, 

A Sun that never sets shall rise; 
Night will not veil his ceaseless ray, 
The heav'nly Sabbath never dies! 



SABBATH EVENING. 287 

~ - HYMN. C. M. 

04r Evening Twilight. 

1 I LOVE to steal awhile away 

From every cumb'ring care, 
And spend the hours of setting day, 
In humble, grateful prayer. 

2 1 love in solitude to shed 

The penitential tear, 
And all His promises to plead, 
Where none but God can hear. 

3 I love to think on mercies past, 

And future good implore, 
And all my cares and sorrows cast 
On him whom I adore. 

4 I love by faith to take a view 

Of brighter scenes in heav'n; 
The prospect doth my strength renew 
While here by tempests driv'n. 

5 Thus, when life's toilsome day is o'er, 

May its departing ray 
Be calm as this impressive hour, 
And lead to endless day. 



FOR THE beginning of the year. 

05 HYMN. L. M. 

1 GREAT God, we sing thy mighty hand; 
By that supported still we stand: 

The opening year thy mercy shows; 
Let mercy crown it till it close. 

2 By day, by night — at home, abroad, 
Still we are guarded by our God: 
By his incessant bounty fed-^ 

By his unerring counsels led. 

3 With grateful hearts the past we own; 
The future — all to us unknown — 

We to thy guardian care commit, 
And peaceful leave before thy feet. 



388 FOR THE B'EGINNING OF THE YEAR. 

4 In scenes exalted or depress'd, 

Be thou our joy — and thou our rest; 
Thy goodness all our hopes shall raise, 
Ador'd through all our changing days. 

5 When death shall close our earthly songs, 
And seal in silence mortal tongues, 

Our helper, God, in whom we trust, 
In brighter worlds our souls shall boast. 

66 HYMN. L. M. 

1 ETERNAL God! I bless thy name, 

The same thy power — thy grace the same; 
The tokens of thy friendly care 
Begin, and close, and crown the year. 

2 Supported by thy guardian hand, 
Amid ten thousand deaths I stand, 
And see, when I survey thy ways, 
Ten thousand monuments of praise. 

3 Thus far thine arm has led me on — 
Thus far I make thy mercy known; 
And while I tread this desert land, 
New mercies shall new songs demand. 

4 My grateful voice on Jordan's shore, 
Shall raise one sacred pillar more; 
Then bear, in thy bright courts above, 
Inscriptions of immortal love. 

67 HYMN. 7s. 

1 WHILE with ceaseless course the sun 

Hasted through the former year, 
Many souls their race have run, 

Never more to meet us here: 
Fixed in an eternal state, 

They have done with all below; 
We a little longer wait, 

But how little — none can know. 

2 Spared to see another year, 

Let thy blessing meet us here; 
Come, thy dying work revive, 
Bid thy drooping garden thrive; 



FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. 289 

Sun of righteousness, arise! 

Warm our hearts, and bless our eyes: 
Let our prayer thy pity move; 

Make this year a time of love. 

3 Thanks for mercies past receive, 

Pardon of our sins renew; 
Teach us, henceforth, how to live 

With eternity in view; 
Bless thy word to old and young, 

Fill us with a Saviour's love; 
When our life's short race is run, 

May we dwell with thee above. 

#>C HYMN. 5's and ll's. 

Oc5 A New Year. 

1 COME, let us anew 
Our journey pursue, 
Roll round with the year, 

And never stand still, till the Master appear. 

2 Our life is a dream, 
Our time as a stream 
Glides swiftly away; 

And the fugitive moment refuses to stay. 

3 The arrow is flown, 
The moment is gone; 
The millennial year 

Rushes on to our view, and eternity's here. 

4 O that each in the day 
Of his coming may say, 

" I've fought my way through, 
I've finish'd the work thou did'st give me to do!" 

5 O that each from his Lord 
May receive the good word, 
" Well and faithfully done! 

Enter into my joy, and sit down on my throne!" 
2b 



290 FOR THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR. 



FOR THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR. 

^q HYMN. CM. 

OtF Reflections at the End of the Year. 

1 AND now, my soul, another year 

Of thy short life is past; 
I cannot long continue here, 
And this may be my last. 

2 Much of my dubious life is gone, 

Nor will return again; 
And swift my passing moments run r 
The few that yet remain. 

3 Awake, my soul — with utmost care 

Thy true condition learn: 
What are thy hopes? — how sure? how fair? 
What is thy great concern? 

4 Behold, another year begins! 

Set out afresh for heaven; 
Seek pardon for thy former sins, 
In Christ so freely given. 

5 Devoutly yield thyself to God, 

And on his grace depend; 
With zeal pursue the heav'nly road,. 
Nor doubt a happy end. 

wrg^ HYMN. S. M. 

4 U Rapid flight of Time. 

1 MY few revolving years, 

How swift they glide away! 
How short the term of life appears,, 
When past — 'tis but a day! — 

2 A dark and cloudy day, 

Made up of grief and sin ; 
A host of dang'rous foes without^ 
And guilt and fear within. 

3 Lord, through another yean, 

If thou permit my stay, 
W r ith watchful care may I pursue 
The true and living way! 



THE SEASONS. £91 

<* | HYMN. CM. 

4 JL Praise for Providential Goodness. 

1 GOD of our lives, thy various praise 

Our voices shall resound: 
Thy hand directs our fleeting days. 
And brings the seasons round. 

2 To thee shall grateful songs arise, 

Our Father and our Friend; 
Whose constant mercies from the skies, 
In genial streams descend. 

3 In ev'ry scene of life, thy care, 

In ev'ry age, we see: 
And, constant as thy favours are, 
So let our praises be. 

4 Still may thy love, in every scene r 

To ev'ry age, appear; 
And let the same compassion deign 
To bless the opening year. 

^ HYMN. C. M. 

& JSi The House appointed for all living. 

1 HOW still and peaceful is the grave, 

Where, life's vain tumults past, 
Th' appointed house, by heav'n's decree, 
Receives us all at last! 

2 The wicked there from troubling cease— 

Their passions rage no more; 
And there the weary pilgrim rests 
From all the toils he bore. 

3 All, levell'd by the hand of death, 

Lie sleeping in the tomb, 
Till God in judgment calls them forth, 
To meet their final doom. 



THE SEASONS. 

73 HYMN. H. M. 

1 HOW pleasing is the voice 

Of God, our heav'nly King, 
Who bids the frosts retire, 

And wakes the lovely spring] 



292 THE SEASONS. 

Bright suns arise, 
The mild wind blows, 
And beauty glows, 

Thro' earth and skies. 

2 The morn, with glory crown'd, 

His hand arrays in smiles: 
He bids the eve decline, 
Rejoicing o'er the hills: 

The ev'ning breeze 
His breath perfumes; 
His beauty blooms 

In flow'rs and trees. 

3 With life he clothes the spring, 

The earth with summer warms: 
He spreads th' autumnal feast, 
And rides on wintry storms: 

His gifts divine 
Thro' all appear; 
And round the year 

His glories shine. 

14: HYMN. L. M. 

THE flow'ry spring, at God's command, 
Perfumes the air, and paints the land: 
The summer rays with vigour shine, 
To raise the corn and cheer the vine. 

2 His hand in autumn richly pours, 
Through all her coasts, redundant stores; 
And winters, soften'd by his care, 

No more the face of horror wear. 

3 The changing seasons, months and days 
Demand successive songs of praise; 
And be the cheerful homage paid, 
With morning light, and ev'ning shade. 

4 And oh, may each harmonious tongue 
In worlds unknown the praise prolong, 
And in those brighter courts adore, 
Where days and years revolve no more. 

HYMN. C. M. 
4& Spring. 

1 WHEN verdure clothes the fertile vale, 
And blossoms deck the spray, 



THE SEASONS. 293 

Arid fragrance breathes in ev'ry gale, 
How sweet the vernal day! 

2 Hark! how the feather'd warblers sing! 

'Tis nature's cheerful voice; 
Soft music hails the lovely spring, 
And woods and fields rejoice* 

3 O God of nature, and of grace, 

Thy heav'nly gifts impart; 
Then shall my meditation trace 
Spring blooming in my heart. 

4 Inspir'd to praise, I then shall join 

Glad nature's cheerful song; 
And love, and gratitude divine 
Attune my joyful tongue. 

^^ HYMN. S. M. 

4 O The Spring. 

i SWEET is the time of spring, 

When nature's charms appear; 
The birds with ceaseless pleasure sing, 

And hail the op'ning year: 

But sweeter far the spring 

Of wisdom and of grace, 
When children bless and praise their King 

Who loves the youthful race. 

2 Sweet is the dawn of day, 
When light just streaks the sky; 

When shades and darkness pass away, 

And morning's beams are nigh: 

But sweeter far the dawn 

Of piety in youth; 
When doubt and darkness are withdrawn 

Before the light of truth. 

3 Sweet is the early dew, 

Which gilds the mountain's tops, 
And decks each plant and flow'r we view, 

With pearly glitt'ring drops: 

But sweeter far the scene 

On Zion's holy hill; 
When there the dew of youth is seen 

Its freshness to distil* 
2b2 



294 THE SEASONS. 

11 HYMN. S. M. 

1 GREAT God, at thy command 

Seasons in order rise: 
Thy pow'r and love in concert reign 
Through earth, and seas, and skies. 

2 How balmy is the air! 

How warm the sun's bright beams! 
While, to refresh the ground, the rains 
Descend in gentle streams. 

3 With grateful praise we own 

Thy providential hand, 
While grass, and herbs, and waving corn, 
Adorn and bless the land. 

4 But greater still the gift 

Of thine incarnate Son; 
By him forgiveness, peace, and joy, 
Through endless ages run. 

78 HYMN. 8's. 

1 THE winter is over and gone, 

The thrush whistles sweet on the spray, 
The turtle breathes forth her soft moan, 
The lark mounts and warbles away. 

2 Shall every creature around 

Their voices in concert unite, 
And I, the most favour'd, be found, 
In praising to take less delight? 

3 Awake, then, my harp, and my lute! 

Sweet organs, your notes softly swell! 
No longer my lips shall be mute, 
The Saviour's high praises to tell! 

4 His love in my heart shed abroad, 

My graces shall bloom as the spring; 
This temple, his Spirit's abode, 
My joy, as my duty, to sing. 

79 HYMN. 7's. 

1 PLEASING spring again is here! 
Trees and fields in bloom appear! 



THE SEASONS. 295 

Hark! the birds, with artless lays, 
Warble their Creator's praise! 

2 Lord, afford a spring to me! 
Let me feel like what I see: 
Ah! my winter has been long, 
Chill'd my hopes, suppress'd my song. 

3 How the soul in winter mourns, 
Till the Lord, the Sun, returns! 
Till the Spirit's gentle rain 
Bids the heart revive again! 

4 O beloved Saviour, haste, 

Tell me all the storms are past: 
Speak, and by thy gracious voice 
Make my drooping soul rejoice. 

£. ~ HYMN. C. M. 

5*$J Summer — A Harvest Hymn. 

1 TO praise the ever bounteous Lord, 

My soul, wake all thy pow'rs; 
He calls, and at his voice come forth 
The smiling harvest hours. 

2 His cov'nant with the earth he keeps; 

My tongue, his goodness sing; 
Summer and winter know their time, 
His harvest crowns the spring. 

3 Well pleas'd the toiling swains behold 

The waving yellow crop; 
With joy they bear the sheaves away, 
And sow again in hope. 

4 Thus teach me, gracious God, to sow 

The seeds of righteousness; 
Smile on my soul, and with thy beams 
The rip'ning harvest bless. 

5 Then, in the last great harvest, I 

Shall reap a glorious crop; 

The harvest shall by far exceed 

What I have sow'd in hope. 

^ HYMN. CM. 

C>1 Winter. 

1 STERN winter throws his icy chains, 
Encircling nature round; 



!96 THE SEASONS. 

How bleak, how comfortless the plains, 
Late with gay verdure crown'd! 

2 The sun withdraws his vital beams, 

And light and warmth depart; 
And drooping lifeless, nature seems 
An emblem of my heart. 

3 My heart, where mental winter reigns, 

In night's dark mantle clad, 
Confin'd in cold, inactive chains, 
How desolate and sad! 

4 Return, O blissful Sun, and bring 

Thy soul-reviving ray; 
This mental winter shall be spring, 
This darkness cheerful day. 

5 O happy state, divine abode, 

Where spring eternal reigns; 
And perfect day, the smile of God, 
Fills all the heav'nly plains! 

6 Great Source of light, thy beams display, 

My drooping joys restore, 
And guide me to the seats of day, 
Where winter frowns no more. 

<£$£ HYMN. L. M. 

^yJm Goodness of God in the Seasons. 

1 ON God the race of man depends, 
Far as the earth's remotest ends; 
At his command the morning ray 
Smiles in the east, and leads the day. 

2 Seasons and times obey his voice; 
The morn and ev'ning both rejoice 

To see the earth made soft with showers, 
Laden with fruit, and dress'd in flowers. 

3 The desert grows a fruitful field; 
Abundant food the valleys yield; 

The plains shall shout with cheerful voice, 
And neighbouring hills repeat their joys. 

4 Thy works pronounce thy power divine; 
O'er every field thy glories shine; 
Through ev'ry month thy gifts appear: 
Great God, thy goodness crowns the year. 



S3 



THE SEASONS. 297 



HYMN. CM. 



THE Lord is good, the heav'nly King, 

He makes the earth his care; 
Visits the pastures ev'ry spring, 

And bids the grass appear. 
The times and seasons — days and hours, 

Heav'n, earth, and air are thine; 
When clouds distil in fruitful show'rs, 

The Author is divine. 
The soften'd ridges of the field 

Permit the corn to spring; 
The valleys rich provision yield, 

And all the lab'rers sing. 
The various months thy goodness crowns; 

How bounteous are thy ways! 
The bleating flocks spread o'er the downs, 

And shepherds shout thy praise. 



HYMN. L. M. 



84 

1 SING to the Lord, exalt him high, 
Who spreads his clouds around the sky; 
There he prepares the fruitful rain, 
Nor lets the drops descend in vain. 

2 He makes the grass the hills adorn, 
And clothes the smiling fields with corn; 
The beasts with food his hands supply, 
And feed the ravens when they cry. 

3 What is the creature's skill or force, 
The vig'rous man, the warlike horse, 
The sprightly wit, the active limb! 
All are too mean delights for him. 

4 His saints are lovely in his sight; 
He views his children with delight; 

He sees their hopes, he knows their fear, 
And finds and loves his image there. 

85 HYMN. L. M. 

1 LET Zion praise the mighty God, 
And make his honours known abroad; 



298 THE SEASONS. 

For sweet the joy our songs to raise, 
And glorious is the work of praise. 

2 Our children live secure and blest; 
Our shores have peace, our cities rest; 
He feeds our sons with finest wheat, 
And adds his blessings to their meat. 

3 The changing seasons he ordains, 
The early and the latter rains; 

His flakes of snow like wool he sends, 
And thus the springing corn defends. 

4 With hoary frost he strews the ground; 
His hail descends with dreadful sound; 
His icy bands the rivers hold, 

And terror arms his wintry cold. 

5 He bids the warmer breezes blow, 
The ice dissolves, the waters flow; 
But he hath nobler works and ways 
To call his people to his praise. 

6 Through all our land his laws are shown; 
His gospel through our borders known; 
He hath not thus revealed his word 

To every land — Praise ye the Lord! 

86 HYMN. CM. 

1 WITH songs and honours sounding loud, 

Address the Lord on high; 
Over the heavens he spreads his cloud, 
And waters veil the sky. 

2 He sends his showers of blessings down 

To cheer the plains below; 
He makes the grass the mountains crown, 
And corn in valleys grow. 

3 He gives the grazing ox his meat, 

He hears the ravens cry; 
But man, who tastes his finest wheat, 
Should raise his honours high, 

4 His steady counsels change the face 

Of the declining year; 
He bids the sun cut short his race, 
And wintry days appear. 



THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL, 299 

5 His hoary frost, his fleecy snow, 

Descend and clothe the ground; 
The liquid streams forbear to flow, 
In icy fetters bound. 

6 When from his dreadful stores on high 

He pours the sounding hail, 
The wretch that dares his God defy 
Shall find his courage fail. 

7 He sends his word, and melts the snow, 

The fields no longer mourn; 
He calls the warmer gales to blow, 
And bids the spring return. 

8 The changing wind, the flying cloud, 

Obey his mighty word; 
With songs and honours sounding loud, 
Praise ye the sov'reign Lord. 



THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL, 

^ m HYMN. 8's, 7's, 4's. 

51 § Prayer for a Revival. Ps. lxxxv. 6 

1 SAVIOUR, visit thy plantation: 

Grant us, Lord, a gracious rain! 
All will come to desolation, 
Unless thou return again. 

Lord, revive us; 
All our help must come from thee. 

2 Keep no longer at a distance; 

Shine upon us from on high, 
Lest, for want of thine assistance, 
Ev'ry plant should droop and die, 

3 Let our mutual love be fervent, 

Make us prevalent in pray'rs; 
Let each one esteem'd thy servant, 
Shun the world's bewitching snares, 

4 Break the tempter's fatal power; 

Turn the stony heart to flesh; 
And begin from this good hour 
To revive thy work afresh. 



300 THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. 



88 



HYMN. H. M. 



1 SOV'REIGN of worlds above, 

And Lord of all below, 
Thy faithfulness and love, 
Thy pow'r and mercy show: 

Fulfil thy word; 

Thy Spirit give; 

Let heathens live 

And praise the Lord. 

2 On lands that lie beneath 

Foul superstition's sway, 
Whose horrid shades of death 
Admit no heav'nly ray, 

Biest Spirit! shine, 

Their hearts illume; 

Dispel the gloom 

With light divine. 

3 Father, who to thy Son 

Thy steadfast word hast giv'n, 
That thro' the earth shall run 
The news of peace with heav'n, 
Extend his fame; 
Thy grace diffuse; 
And let the news 
The world reclaim. 

4 Few be the years that roll, 

Ere all shall worship thee; 
The travail of his soul, 
Soon let the Saviour see; 

O God of grace! 

Thy pow'r employ, 

Fill earth with joy, 

And heav'n with praise, 

§9 HYMN. C. M. 

1 OH, when shall Afric's sable sons 
Enjoy the heav'nly word; 
And vassals, long enslav'd, become 
The freemen of the Lord? 



THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. 301 

When shall the untutor'd Heathen tribes, 

A dark, bewilder'd race, 
Sit down at our ImmanuePs feet, 

And learn and sing his grace? 

Haste, sov'reign mercy, and transform 

Their cruelty to love: 
Soften the tiger to a lamb, 

The vulture to a dove. 



HYMN. 8, 7, 4. 



90 

1 O'ER the gloomy hills of darkness; 

Cheer'd by no celestial ray, 
Sun of Righteousness, arising, 

Bring the bright, the glorious day; 

Send the gospel 
To the earth's remotest bound. 

2 Kingdoms wide that sit in darkness! 

Grant them, Lord, the glorious light; 
And from eastern coast to western, 
May the morning chase the night; 

And redemption, 
Freely purchas'd, win the day. 

3 Fly abroad, thou mighty gospel — 

Win and conquer, never cease; 
May thy lasting, wide dominions 
Multiply and still increase; 

Sway thy sceptre, 
Saviour, all the world around. 

91 HYMN. L. M. 

1 SOV'REIGN of worlds! display thy pow'r, 
Be this thy Zion's favour'd hour; 

Bid the bright morning Star arise, 
And point the nations to the skies. 

2 Set up thy throne where Satan reigns, 
On Afric's shore, on India's plains, 
On wilds and continents unknown; 
And be the universe thine own. 

3 Speak! and the world shall hear thy voice; 
Speak! and the desert shall rejoice; 

2 c 



302 THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. 

Scatter the gloom of heathen night, 
And bid all nations hail the light. 



HYMN. 8, 7, 4. 
For the Influence of the Spirit. 



92 

1 WHO, but thou, almighty Spirit, 

Can the heathen world reclaim? 
Men may preach, but till thou favour, 
Heathens will be still the same: 

Mighty Spirit! 
Witness to the Saviour's name. 

2 Thou hast promis'd by the prophets, 

Glorious light in latter days: 
Come, and bless bewilder'd nations, 
Change our pray'rs and tears to praise; 

Promis'd Spirit! 
Round the world diffuse thy rays. 

3 All our hopes, and pray'rs, and labours 

Must be vain without thine aid: 
But thou wilt not disappoint us — 
All is true that thou hast said: 

Faithful Spirit! 
O'er the world thine influence shed. 

93 HYMN. 7, 6. 

1 FROM Greenland's icy mountains, 

From India's coral strand; 
Where Afric's sunny fountains 

Roll down their golden sand; 
From many an ancient river, 

From many a palmy plain, 
They call us to deliver 

Their land from error's chain. 
2 What tho' the spicy breezes 

Blow soft o'er Ceylon's isle, 
Tho' ev'ry prospect pleases, 

And only man is vile; 
In vain with lavish kindness 

The gifts of God are strown; 
The heathen in his blindness 

Bows down to wood and stone. 



THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. 303 

3 Shall we, whose souls are lighted 

With wisdom from on high, 
Shall we to men benighted 

The lamp of life deny? 
Salvation! O Salvation! 

The joyful sound proclaim, 
Till earth's remotest nation 

Has learn'd Messiah's name. 

4 Waft, waft ye winds, his story, 

And you, ye waters roll, 
Till, like a sea of glory, 

It spreads from pole to pole; 
Till o'er our ransom'd nature, 

The Lamb for sinners slain, 
Redeemer, King, Creator, 

In bliss returns to reign. 

94: HYMN. C. M. 

1 GREAT Saviour, let thy pow'r divine 

O'er all the earth be known; 

Let all, to thee, their will resign, 

And make thy will their own. 

2 Perversion marks the guilty way, 

Which heathens madly tread; 
From all thy laws they go astray, 
And hasten to the dead. 

3 Thou, Saviour-God, hast pow'r alone 

To turn their wand'ring feet, 
To bend their souls before thy throne, 
Low at thy mercy seat: 

4 For all the pow'r, beneath, above, 

Thy wounded hands sustain; 
Then sway the sceptre of thy love, 
And let thy mercy reign. 

£|pr HYMN. L. M. 

tf *3 The Glory of God in his Works and in his Word. 

1 GREAT Sun of Righteousness, arise! 

Oh bless the world with heav'nly light! 
Thy gospel makes the simple wise: 

Thy laws are pure — thy judgments right. 



304 THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. 

2 Thy noblest wonders here we view, 

In souls renew'd and sins forgiv'n: — 
Lord, cleanse my sins — my soul renew, 
And make thy word my guide to heav'n. 



HYMN. L. M. 

Universal Reign of Christ. 



96 

1 GREAT God, whose universal sway 
The known and unknown worlds obey, 
Now give the kingdom to thy Son, 
Extend his pow'r — exalt his throne. 

2 As rain on meadows newly mown, 
So shall he send his influence down; 
His grace, on fainting souls, distils, 
Like heav'nly dew, on thirsty hills. 

3 The heathen lands, that lie beneath 
The shades of overspreading death, 
Revive at his first dawning light, 
And deserts blossom at the sight. 

4 The saints shall flourish in his days, 
Dress'd in the robes of joy and praise; 
Peace, like a river, from his throne, 
Shall flow to nations yet unknown. 

9*7 HYMN. L. M. 

1 JESUS shall reign where'er the sun 
Doth his successive journeys run; 

His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, 
Till moon shall wax and wane no more. 

2 For him shall endless pray'r be made, 
And praises throng to crown his head; 
His name, like sweet perfume, shall rise 
With ev'ry morning sacrifice. 

3 People and realms of ev'ry tongue 
Dwell on his love with sweetest song; 
And infant voices shall proclaim 
Their early blessings on his name. 

4 Blessings abound where'er he reigns, 
The joyful pris'ner bursts his chains; 
The weary find eternal rest, 

And all the sons of want are blest. 



THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. 305 

5 Let ev'ry creature rise and bring 
Peculiar honours to our King; 
Angels descend with songs again, 
And earth repeat the loud Amen. 

q^ HYMN. L. P. M. 

e#C& Rejoicing in View of God's Universal Reign. 

1 LET all the earth their voices raise, 
To sing a psalm of lofty praise, 

To sing and bless Jehovah's name; 
His glory let the heathen know, 
His wonders to the nations show, 

And all his saving works proclaim. 

2 Oh! haste the day — the glorious hour, 
When earth shall feel his saving pow'r, 
And barb'rous nations fear his name: 

Then shall the race of man confess 
The beauty of his holiness, 
And in his courts his grace proclaim. 

99 HYMN. S. M. 

1 I LOVE thy kingdom, Lord, 

The house of thine abode, 
The church, our blest Redeemer sav'd 
With his own precious blood. 

2 I love thy church, O God! 

Her walls before thee stand, 
Dear as the apple of thine eye, 
And graven on thy hand. 

3 For her my tears shall fall; 

For her my pray'rs ascend; 
To her my cares and toils be given, 
Till toils and cares shall end. 

4 Beyond my highest joy 

I prize her heav'nly ways, 
Her sweet communion — solemn vows, 
Her hymns of love and praise. 

5 Jesus, thou friend divine, 

Our Saviour, and our King, 
Thy hand from every snare and foe, 
Shall great deliv'rance bring. 
2 c 2 



306 THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. 

6 Sure as thy truth shall last, 
To Zion shall be giv'n 
The brightest glories earth can yield. 
And brighter bliss of heav'n. 



HYMN. C. M. 

Christ crowned as Lord of all. 



100 

1 ALL hail, the great Immanuel's name! 

Let angels prostrate fall: 
Bring forth the royal diadem, 
And crown him Lord of all. 

2 Crown him, ye martyrs of our God, 

Who from his altar call; 
Praise him who shed for you his blood, 
And crown him Lord of all. 

3 Ye chosen seed of Israel's race, 

A remnant weak and small, 
Hail him who saves you by his grace, 
And crown him Lord of all. 

4 Ye Gentile sinners, ne'er forget 

The wormwood and the gall; 
Go spread your trophies at his feet, 
And crown him Lord of all. 

5 Let ev'ry kindred — ev'ry tribe, 

On this terrestrial ball, 
To him all majesty ascribe, 
And crown him Lord of all. 

6 Oh! that with yonder sacred throng, 

We at his feet may fall; 
And join the everlasting song, 
And crown him Lord of all. 

lOl HYMN. H. M. 

1 SOV'REIGN of worlds above, 
And Lord of all below, 
Thy faithfulness and love, 
Thy pow'r and mercy show. 
Fulfil thy word, 

Thy Spirit give; 
Let heathens live, 
And praise the Lord. 



EARLY PIETY. 307 



2 Few be the years that roll, 
Ere all shall worship thee; 
The travail of his soul 
Soon let the Saviour see: 
O God of grace! 

Thy power employe 
Fill earth with joy, 

And heav'n with praise. 

102 HYMN. 7's. 

1 WAKE the song of jubilee, 
Let it echo o'er the sea! 

Now is come the promis'd hour; 
Jesus reigns with sov'reign pow'r! 

2 All ye nations, join and sing, 

" Christ, of lords and kings is King! 1 
Let it sound from shore to shore, 
Jesus reigns for evermore! 

3 Now the desert lands rejoice, 
And the islands join their voice; 
Yea, the whole creation sings, 

" Jesus is the King of kings." 



HYMN. L. M. 

Exhortation to Universal Praise. 



103 

1 FROM all that dwell below the skies, 
Let the Creator's praise arise: 

Let the Redeemer's name be sung, 
Through ev'ry land*— by ev'ry tongue. 

2 Eternal are thy mercies, Lord; 
Eternal truth attends thy word; 

Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore, 
Till suns shall rise and set no more. 



EARLY PIETY. 

104: HYMN. L. M. 

1 NOW in the heat of youthful blood, 
Remember your Creator, God: 
Behold the months come hast'ning on, 
When you shall say — " My joys are gone. 



308 EARLY PIETY. 

2 Behold, the aged sinner goes, 
Oppress'd with guilt and heavy woes, 
Down to the regions of the dead, 
With endless curses on his head. 

3 The dust returns to dust again; 
The soul, in agony of pain, 
Ascends to God — not there to dwell, 
But hears her doom — and sinks to hell. 

4 Eternal King! I fear thy name; 
Teach me to know how frail I am: 
And when my soul must hence remove, 
Give me a mansion in thy love. 

-g^|^ HYMN. C. M. 

J_"«3 Youth admonished to remember their Creator. 

1 CHILDREN, to your Creator, God, 

Your early honours pay; 
While vanity and youthful blood 
Would tempt your thoughts astray. 

2 Be wise — and make his favour sure, 

Before the mournful day, 
When youth and mirth are known no more, 
And life and strength decay. 

3 The mem'ry of his mighty name 

Demands your first regard; 
Nor dare indulge a meaner flame, 
Till you have lov'd the Lord. 

106 HYMN. CM. 

1 WHILE in the tender years of youth, 

In nature's smiling bloom, 
Ere age arrive, and trembling wait 
Its summons to the tomb; — 

2 Remember thy Creator, God; 

For him thy pow'rs employ; 
Make him thy fear, thy love, thy hope, 
Thy portion, and thy joy. 

3 He shall defend and guide thy course 

Through life's uncertain sea, 
Till thou art landed on the shore 
Of blest eternity. 



EARLY PIETY. 309 

*fim HYMN. S. M. 

M.\J # The Young asking for Divine Guidance. 

1 FROM earliest dawn of life. 

Thy goodness we have shared; 
And still we live to sing thy praise, 
By sov'reign mercy spared. 

2 To learn and do thy will, 

O Lord our hearts incline; 
And o'er the paths of future life 
Command thy light to shine. 

3 While taught thy word of truth, 

May we that word receive; 
And when we hear of Jesus' name, 
In that blest name believe! 

4 O, let us never tread 

The broad, destructive road, 
But trace those holy paths which lead 
To glory, and to God. 



108 



HYMN. S. M. 



MY son, know thou the Lord, 

Thy father's God obey: 
Seek his protecting care by night, 

His guardian hand by day. 
Call, while he may be found, 

And seek him while he's near; 
Serve him with all thy heart and mind, 

And worship him with fear. 
If thou wilt seek his face, 

His ear will hear thy cry; 
Then shalt thou find his mercy sure, 

His grace forever nigh. 

But if thou leave thy God, 

Nor choose the path to heav'n; 

Then shalt thou perish in thy sins, 
And never be forgiv'n. 



HYMN. CM. 

Youth. 



109 

1 COME, let us now forget our mirth, 
And think that we must die; 



310 EARLY PIETY. 

What are our best delights on earth, 
Compar'd with those on high! 

2 Our pleasures here will soon be past— 

Our brightest joys decays 
But pleasures there for ever last, 
And cannot fade away. 

3 Here sins and sorrows we deplore, 

With many cares distrest, 
But there the mourners weep no more, 
And there the weary rest. 

4 Our dearest friends, when death shall call, 

At once must hence depart; 
But there we hope to meet them all, 
And never, never part. 

5 Then let us love and serve the Lord, 

With all our youthful pow'rs; 
And we shall gain this great reward, 
This glory shall be ours. 

110 HYMN. C. M. 

1 RELIGION is the chief concern 

Of mortals here below; 
May I its great importance learn, 
Its sov'reign virtue know! 

2 Religion should our thoughts engage, 

Amidst our youthful bloom; 
'Twill fit us for declining age, 
And for the awful tomb. 

111 HYMN. L. M. 

1 YE lovely bands of blooming youth, 
Warn'd by the voice of heav'nly truth, 
Now yield to Christ your youthful prime, 
With all your talents and your time. 

2 Think on your end, nor thoughtless say, 
"I'll put far off the evil day;" 

Ah! not a moment's in your pow'r, 
And death stands ready at the door. 

3 Eternity! — how near it rolls! 
Count the vast value of your souls! 



EARLY PIETY. 3 1 1 

Beware! and count the awful cost, 



What they have gain'd whose souls are lost. 
4 Pride, sinful pleasures, lusts, and snares, 
Beset your hearts, your eyes, your ears — 
Take the alarm — the danger fly! 
"Lord! save me," be your earnest cry. 

-i "i tf» HYMN. S. M, 

Xljfi Prayer of a Youth. Ps. cxix. 9. 

1 WITH humble heart and tongue, 

My God, to thee I pray; 
Oh, make me learn, while I am young, 
How I may cleanse my way. 

2 Make an unguarded youth 

The object of thy care; 
Help me to choose the way of truth, 
And fly from ev'ry snare. 

3 My heart, to folly prone, 

Renew by pow'r divine; 
Unite it to thyself alone, 
And make me wholly thine. 

4 Oh, let thy word of grace 

My warmest thoughts employ; 
Be this, through all my foll'wing days, 
My treasure and my joy. 

5 To what thy laws impart, 

Be my whole soul inclin'd; 
Oh, let them dwell within my heart, 
And sanctify my mind. 

6 May thy young servant learn, 

By these to cleanse his way; 
And may I here the path discern 
That leads to endless day. 

113 HYMN. L. M. 

1 HOW soft the words my Saviour speaks! 

How kind the promises he makes! 
A bruised reed he never breaks, 

Nor will he quench the smoking flax. 

2 The humble poor he won't despise, 

Nor on the contrite sinner frown; 



12 MISCELLANEOUS. 

His ear is open to their cries, 

He quickly sends salvation down. 

3 When piety, in early minds, 

Like tender buds begin to shoot, 
He guards the plants from threat'ning winds, 
And ripens blossoms into fruit. 

4 With humble souls he bears a part 

In all the sorrows they endure; 
Tender and gracious is his heart, 
His promise is for ever sure. 

5 He sees the struggles that prevail 

Between the pow'rs of grace and sin, 
He kindly listens while they tell 
The bitter pangs they feel within. 

6 Though press'd with fears on ev'ry side, 

They know not how the strife may end; 
Yet he will soon the cause decide, 
And judgment unto vict'ry send. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 

114: HYMN. C. M. 

1 WHILST thee I seek, protecting Power 

Be my vain wishes still'd; 

And may this consecrated hour 

With better hopes be fill'd. 

2 Thy love the pow'r of thought bestow'd, 

To thee my thoughts would soar: 
Thy mercy o'er my life has flow'd; 
That mercy I adore. 

3 In each event of life, how clear 

Thy ruling hand I see! 
Each blessing to my soul most dear, 
Because conferred by thee. 

4 In ev'ry joy that crowns my days, 

In ev'ry pain I bear, 
My heart shall find delight in praise, 
Or seek relief in pray'r. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 313 

5 When gladness wings my favour'd hour, 

Thy love my thoughts shall fill; 
Resign'd when storms of sorrow low'r 
My soul shall meet thy will. 

6 My lifted eye, without a tear, 

The gath'ring storm shall see; 
My steadfast heart shall know no fear; 
That heart will rest on thee. 

||« HYMN. 8's, 7's, and 4's. 

JLJLt9 God the Pilgrim 's Guide. 

1 GUIDE me, O thou great Jehovah, 
Pilgrim through this barren land; 
I am weak, but thou art mighty; 
Hold me with thy pow'rful hand: 

Bread of heaven, 
Feed me till I want no more. 

H Open, Lord, the crystal fountain, 
Whence the healing waters flow; 
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar 

Lead me all my journey through: 

Strong deliv'rer, 
Be thou still my strength and shield. 

3 When I tread the verge of Jordan, 
Bid my anxious fears subside; 
Death of death, and hell's destruction, 
Land me safe on Canaan's side: 

Songs of praises 
I will ever give to thee. 

lift HYMN. L. M. 

AJI.O Crucifixion to the World. 

1 WHEN I survey the wond'rous cross, 
On which the Prince of glory died, 
My richest gain I count but loss, 
And pour contempt on all my pride. 

2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should beast, 
Save in the death of Christy my God; 
All the vain things that charm me most, 
I sacrifice them to his blood. 

2d 



314 MISCELLANEOUS. 

3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet;, 
Sorrow and love flow mingled down! 
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, 
Or thorns compose so rich a crown? 

4 Were the wide realm of nature mine. 
That were a present far too small; 
Love so amazing, so divine, 
Demands my soul, my life, my alL 

-g-gm HYMN. CM. 

JLJ. § Holy Fortitude. 

1 AM I a soldier of the cross; 

A follower of the Lamb; 
And shall I fear to own his cause, 
Or blush to speak his name? 

2 Shall I be carry'd to the skies, 

On flow'ry beds of ease, 
While others fought to win the prize, 
And sail'd thro' bloody seas? 

3 Are there no foes for me to face, 

Must I not stem the flood; 
Is this vain world a friend to grace, 
To help us on to God? 

4 Sure I must fight, if I would reign; 

Increase my courage, Lord, 
To bear the cross, endure the shame, 
Supported by thy word. 

5 The saints, in all this glorious war, 

Shall conquer, tho' they die; 

They see the triumph from afar, 

With faith's discerning eye. 

Iltt HYMN. CM. 

JLA5y Salvation welcomed. 

1 SALVATION! O, the joyful sound! 

'Tis pleasure to our ears: 
A sov'reign balm for every wound, 
A cordial for our fears. 

2 Buried in sorrow and in sin, 

At hell's dark door we lay; 
But we arise by grace divine 
To see a heav'nly day. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 315 

3 Salvation! let the echo fly 
The spacious earth around, 
While all the armies of the sky 
Conspire to raise the sound. 

IIQ HYMN. L. M. 

Ji. JL tf A Broken and a Contrite Heart. 

1 SHOW pity, Lord, O Lord, forgives 
Let a repenting rebel live; 

Are not thy mercies large and free? 
May not a sinner trust in thee? 

2 O wash my soul from every sin, 

And make my guilty conscience clean; 
Here on my heart the burden lies, 
And past offences pain mine eyes. 

3 My lips with shame my sins confess, 
Against thy law, against thy grace; 
Lord, should thy judgment grow severe, 
I am condemn'd, but thou art clear. 

4 Yet save a trembling sinner, Lord, 
Whose hope, still hov'ring round thy word. 
Would light on some sweet promise there, 
Some sure support against despair. 

l OA HYMN. CM. 

M.Jml%J Repentance at the Cross. 

1 'TWAS for my sins, my dearest Lord 

Hung on the cursed tree, 
And groan'd away a dying life 
For thee, my soul, for thee. 

2 O, how I hate those sins of mine 

That shed the Saviour's blood; 
That pierc'd and nail'd his sacred flesh 
Fast to the fatal wood. 

3 Whilst with a melting broken heart, 

My murder'd Lord I view, 

I here renounce my darling sins, 

And slay the murd'rers too. 

t Q| HYMN. L. M. 

M.juJL Sufferings and Death. 

1 STRETCH'D on the cross, the Saviour dies; 
Hark! his expiring groans arise: 



316 MISCELLANEOUS. 

See from his hands, his feet, his side, 
Runs down the sacred crimson tide. 

2 But life attends the deathful sound, 
And flows from ev'ry bleeding wound; 
The vital stream how free it flows, 
To save and cleanse his rebel foes! 

3 Can I survey this scene of wo, 
Where mingling grief and wonder flow; 
And yet my heart unmov'd remain, 
Insensible to love, or pain? 

4 Come, dearest Lord, thy grace impart, 
To warm this cold, this stupid heart! 
'Till all its pow'rs and passions move 
In melting grief, and ardent love. 

^0» HYMN. 8's,7's,4's. 

wL^aiJmi It is finished. John six. 30. 

1 HARK! the voice of love and mercy! 

Sounds aloud from Calvary; 
See, it rends the rocks asunder — 
Shakes the earth and veils the sky ! 

«It is finish'd!"— 
Hear the Saviour — dying — cry. 

2 It is finish'd! — Oh, what pleasure 

Do these precious words afford! 
Heav'nly blessings without measure, 
Flow to us from Christ, the Lord: 

It is finish'd!— 
Saints, the dying words record. 

3 Finish'd — all the types and shadows 

Of the ceremonial law; 
Finish'd — all that God had promis'd; 
Death and hell no more shall awe: 

It is finish'd — 
Saints, from hence your comforts draw. 

4 Tune your harps anew, ye seraphs, — 

Join to sing the pleasing theme; 
All on earth, and all in heav'n, 
Join to praise Immanuel's name: 

Hallelujah! 
Glory to the bleeding Lamb! 



MISCELLANEOUS. 3 1 7 



|Of| HYMN. CM. 

M.jMi3 Breathing after the Holy Spirit. 

1 COME, Holy Spirit, heav'nly Dove, 

With all thy quick'ning pow'rs^ — 
Kindle a frame of sacred love 
In these cold hearts of ours. 

2 In vain we tune our formal songs, 

In vain we strive to rise; 
Hosannas languish on our tongues, 
And our devotion dies. 

3 Dear Lord! and shall we ever live 

At this poor dying rate? 
Our love so faint, so cold to thee, 
And thine to us so great? 

4 Come, Holy Spirit, heav'nly Dove, 

With all thy quick'ning pow'rs,— 
Come, shed abroad a Saviour's love, 
And that shall kindle ours. 

|QJ HYMN. L. M. 

M-jad^-M: Parting with carnal joys. 

1 I SEND the joys of earth away; 
Away, ye tempters of the mind, 
False as the smooth deceitful sea, 
And empty as the whistling wind. 

2 Your streams were floating me along, 
Down to the gulf of black despair; 
And whilst I listen'd to your song, 

Your streams had e'en convey'd me there. 

3 Lord, I adore thy matchless grace, 
That warn'd me of that dark abyss; 

That drew me from those treach'rous seas, 
And bade me seek superior bliss. 

4 Now to the shining realms above, 

I stretch my hands, and glance my eyes; 
Oh, for the pinions of a dove, 
To bear me to the upper skies, 

2o2 



318 MISCELLANEOUS. 

125 HYMN. 7's. 

1 JESUS, lover of my soul, 

Let me to thy bosom fly, 
While the billows near me roll, 

While the tempest still is high; 
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide, 

Till the storm of life be past; 
Safe into the haven guide, 

Oh, receive my soul at last! 

2 Other refuge have I none, 

Lo! I, helpless, hang on thee: 
Leave, Oh, leave me not alone, 

Lest I basely shrink and flee: 
Thou art all my trust and aid, 

All my help from thee I bring; 
Cover my defenceless head 

With the shadow of thy wing. 

3 Thou, O Christ, art all I want; 

Boundless love in thee I find: 
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, 

Heal the sick, and lead the blind. 
Just and holy is thy name; 

I am all unrighteousness, 
Vile and full of sin I am; 

Thou art full of truth and grace. 

4 Plenteous grace with thee is found, 

Grace to pardon all my sin; 
Let the healing streams abound, 

Make and keep me pure within. 
Thou of life the fountain art, 

Freely let me take of thee: 
Reign, O Lord, within my heart, 

Reign to all eternity. 

|» A HYMN. 7,6. 

M.jM\9 Pilgrim's Song. 

1 RISE, my soul, and stretch thy wings, 
Thy better portion trace; 
Rise from transitory things, 

Tow'rds heav'n thy native place. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 319 

Sun, and moon, and stars decay — 
Time shall soon this earth remove, 

Rise, my soul, and haste away 
To seats prepar'd above. 

2 Rivers to the ocean run, 

Nor stay in all their course: 
Fires ascending seek the sun, 

Both speeed them to their source; 
So a soul that's born of God, 

Pants to view his glorious face; 
Upward tends to his abode, 

To rest in his embrace. 

3 Fly me riches, fly me cares, 

While I that coast explore; 
Flatt'ring world, with all thy snares 

Solicit me no more. 
Pilgrims fix not here their home, 

Strangers tarry but a night; 
When the last dear morn is come, 

They'll rise to joyful light. 

4 Cease, ye pilgrims, cease to mourn, 

Press onward to the prize; 
Soon the Saviour will return, 

Triumphant in the skies: 
There we'll join the heav'nly train, 

Welcom'd to partake the bliss; 
Fly from sorrow and from pain, 

To realms of endless peace. 

127 HYMN. 8,7,4. 

1 YES! we trust the day is breaking; 

Joyful times are near at hand: 
God, the mighty God, is speaking 
By his word in ev'ry land: 

When he chooses, 
Darkness flies at his command. 

2 Let us hail the joyful season; 

Let us hail the dawning ray: 
When the Lord appears, there's reason 
To expect a glorious day: 

At his presence 
Gloom and darkness flee away. 



320 MISCELLANEOUS. 

.3 While the foe becomes more daring; 
While he enters like a flood; 
God, the Saviour, is preparing 
Means to spread his truth abroad; 
Ev'ry language 
Soon shall tell the love of God. 

4 God of Jacob, high and glorious, 
Let thy people see thy hand; 
Let the gospel be victorious, 

Through the world in ev'ry land: 
And the idols 
Perish, Lord, at thy command. 

!Ofi HYMN. CM. 

JL^ficI Walking with God. Gen. v. 24. 

1 O FOR a closer walk with God, 

A calm and heav'nly frame, 

And light to shine upon the road 

That leads me to the lamb! 

2 Where is the blessedness I knew 

When first I saw the Lord? 
Where is the soul refreshing view 
Of Jesus, and his word? 

3 What peaceful hours I then enjoy'd ! 

How sweet their mem'ry still! 
But now I find an aching void, 
The world can never fill. 

4 Return, O holy Dove, return, 

Sweet messenger of rest! 
I hate the sins that made thee mourn, 
And drove thee from my breast. 

5 The dearest idol I have known, 

Whate'er that idol be, 
Help me to tear it from thy throne, 
And worship only thee. 

6 So shall my walk be close with God, 

Calm and serene my frame; 
So purer light shall mark the road 
That leads me to the Lamb. 



THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 321 

129 HYMN. C. M. 

J HOW vain are all things here below! 
How false, and yet how fair! 
Each pleasure has its poison too, 
And every sweet a snare. 

2 The brightest things below the sky 

Give but a flattering light; 
We should suspect some danger nigh, 
Where we possess delight. 

3 Our dearest joys, and nearest friends, 

The partners of our blood, 
How they divide our wav'ring minds, 
And leave but half for God. 

4 The fondness of a creature's love, 

How strong it strikes the sense! 
Thither the warm affections move, 
Nor can we call them thence. 

5 Dear Saviour! let thy beauties be 

My t soul's eternal food; 
And grace command my heart away 
From all created good. 



THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 

-IQfk HYMN. CM. 

JltSx-F Revelation welcomed. 

1 HAIL, sacred truth! whose piercing rays 

Dispel the shades of night; 

Diffusing o'er the mental world, 

The healing beams of light. 

2 Jesus, thy word, with friendly aid, 

Restores our wandering feet; 
Converts the sorrows of the mind 
To joys divinely sweet. 

3 Oh! send thy light and truth abroad, 

In all their radiant blaze; 
And bid th' admiring world adore 
The glories of thy grace. 



322 THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 

-gf+-* HYMN. L. M. 

JLtSX Divine Authority of the Bible. 

1 'TWAS by an order from the Lord, 
The ancient prophets spoke his word; 
His Spirit did their tongues inspire, 
And warm their hearts with heav'nly fire. 

2 Great God ! mine eyes with pleasure look 
On the dear volume of thy book; 
There my Redeemer's face I see. 

And read his name who died for me. 

3 Let the false raptures of the mind 
Be lost and vanish in the wind: 
Here I can fix my hope secure; 
This is thy word — and must endure. 

132 HYMN. C, P.M. 

1 HOW precious, Lord, thy sacred word! 
What light and joy those leaves afford 

To souls in deep distress! 
Thy precepts guide our doubtful way, 
Thy tear forbids our feet to stray, 

Thy promise leads to rest. 

2 Thy threat'nings wake our slumb'ring eyes, 
And warn us where our danger lies; 

But 'tis thy gospel, Lord, 
That makes the guilty conscience clean, 
Converts the soul, and conquers sin, 

And gives a free reward. 

133 HYMN. CM. 

1 OPPRESS'D with guilt, and full of fears, 

I come to thee, my Lord; 
While not a ray of hope appears, 
But in thy holy word. 

2 The volume of my Father's grace 

Does all my grief dispel; 
Here I behold my Saviour's face, 
And learn to do his will. 

3 Here living water freely flows, 

To cleanse me from my sin; 



THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 323 

'Tis here the tree of knowledge grows, 
Nor danger dwells therein. 
4 O ! may thy counsels, mighty God, 
My roving feet command 5 
Nor I forsake the happy road, 
That leads to thy right hand. 

134: HYMN. S. M. 

1 BEHOLD the morning sun 

Begins his glorious way; 
His beams through all the nations run, 
And life and light convey. 

2 But where the gospel comes, 

It spreads diviner light, 
It calls dead sinners from their tombs, 
And gives the blind their sight. 

3 How perfect is thy word! 

And all thy judgments just. 1 
Forever sure thy promise, Lord, 
And we securely trust. 

4 My gracious God, how plain 

Are thy directions given! 
O ! may I never read in vain, 
But find the path to heaven. 

135 HYMN. CM. 

1 HOW shall the young secure their hearts, 

And guard their lives from sin? 
Thy word the choicest rules imparts, 
To keep the conscience clean, 

2 'Tis like the sun — a heavenly light, 

That guides us all the day; 
And, through the dangers of the night, 
A lamp to lead our way. 

3 Thy precepts make me truly wise; 

I hate the sinner's road; 
I hate my own vain thoughts that rise, 
But love thy law, my God. 

4 Thy word is everlasting truth, 

How pure is every page! — 



124 AFFLICTIONS AND DEATH. 

That holy book shall guide our youth, 
And well support our age. 



AFFLICTIONS AND DEATH, 

|Qn HYMN. 8'sand7's. 

JLOO Mourners comforted. 

1 CEASE, ye mourners, cease to languish, 

O'er the grave of those you love; 
Pain, and death, and night, and anguish, 
Enter not the world above. 

2 While our silent steps are straying, 

Lonely, through night's deep'ning shade, 
Glory's brightest beams are playing 
Round th' immortal spirit's head. 
S Light and peace at once deriving 
From the hand of God most high, 
In his glorious presence living, 
They shall never— never die. 

4 Endless pleasure, pain excluding, 

Sickness there, no more can come; 
There no fear of wo, intruding, 

Sheds o'er heav'n a moment's gloom. 

5 Now, ye mourners, cease to languish 

O'er the grave of those you love; 
Far reinov'dfrom pain and anguish, 
They are chanting hymns above. 

|q* HYMN. L. M. 

-I_e> i Death of the Righteous. 

1 HOW bless'd the righteous when he dies! 
When sinks a weary soul to rest, 

How mildly beam the closing eyes, 
How gently heaves th' expiring breast! 

2 So fades a summer cloud away, 

So sinks the gale when storms are o'er, 
So gently shuts the eye of day, 
So dies a wave along the shore. 

3 A holy quiet reigns around, 

A calm which life nor death destroys; 



AFFLICTIONS AND DEATH. 325 

Nothing disturbs that peace profound 
Which his unfetter'd soul enjoys. 
4 Farewell, conflicting hopes and fears, 

Where lights and shades alternate dwell; 
How bright th' unchanging morn appears, 

Farewell, inconstant world, farewell. 

|<|o HYMN. CM. 

JLfj#cl Dying in the Lord. 

1 HEAR what the voice from heav'n proclaims, 

For all the pious dead; 
Sweet is the savour of their names, 
And soft their sleeping beds. 

2 They die in Jesus, and are bless ? d; 

How kind their slumbers are! 
From suff'rings, and from sins releas'd, 
And freed from ev'ry snare. 

3 Far from this world of toil and strife, 

They're present with the Lord; 
The labours of their mortal life 
End in a large reward. 

|«|q HYMN. CM. 

Ml*3*9 Mourning with Hope. 

1 THAT once lov'd form now cold and dead, 

Each mournful thought employs; 
And nature weeps, her comforts fled, 
And wither'd all her joys. 

2 Hope looks beyond the bounds of time; 

When what we now deplore, 

Shall rise in full immortal prime, 

And bloom to fade no more. 

3 Then cease, fond nature, cease thy tears, 

Religion points on high; 
There everlasting spring appears, 
And joys that cannot die. 

*,%£% HYMN. C M. 

JLtM-t " The weary are at rest." 

1 HOW still and peaceful is the grave, 
Where, life's vain tumults past, 
Th' appointed house, by heav'n's decree, 
Receives us all at last. 

2e 



326 AFFLICTIONS AND DEATH. 

2 The wicked there from troubling cease ? 

Their passions rage no more; 
And there the weary pilgrim rests 
From all the toils he bore. 

3 All, levell'd by the hand of death, 

Lie sleeping in the tomb, 
Till God, in judgment, call them forth 
To meet their final doom. 



HYMN. L. M. 
The Grave. Job. iii. 17. 



141 

1 THE grave is now a favour'd spot — 

To saints who sleep, in Jesus bless'd; 
For there the wicked trouble not, 
And there the weary are at rest. 

2 At rest in Jesus' faithful arms; 

At rest as in a peaceful bed: 
Secure from all the dreadful storms, 

Which round this sinful world are spread. 

3 Thrice, happy souls, who're gone before 

To that inheritance divine! 
They labour, sorrow, sigh no more, 
But bright in endless glory shine. 

4 Then let our mournful tears be dry, 

Or in a gentle measure flow; 
We hail them happy in the sky, 
And joyful wait our call to go. 

■gjA HYMN. 8's. 

X4I:^3 Death of a Brother. 

1 HOW blest is our brother, bereft 

Of all that could burden his mind: 
How easy the soul that has left 

This wearisome body behind! 
Of evil incapable thou, 

Whose relics with envy I see, 
No longer in misery now, 

No longer a sinner like me. 

2 This earth is affected no more 

With sickness, or shaken with pain; 
The war in the members is o'er, 
And never shall vex him again; 



AFFLICTIONS AND DEATH. 327 

No anger henceforward, or shame, 

Shall redden his innocent clay ; 
Extinct is the animal flame, 

And passion is vanish'd away. 
The lids he so seldom could close, 

By sorrow forbidden to sleep, 
Seal'd up in eternal repose, 

Have strangely forgotten to weep; 
These fountains can yield no supplies — 

These hollows from water are free; 
The tears are all wip'd from these eyes, 

And evil they never shall see. 
To mourn and to suffer is mine, 

While bound in a prison I breathe. 
And still for deliverance pine, 

And press to the issues of death. 
What now with my tears I bedew, 

Oh, shall I not shortly become! 
My spirit created anew, 

Ere I am consigned to the tombl 



143 



HYMN. 8's. 
Death of a Sister. 



1 'TIS nnish'd! the conflict is past, 

The heav'n-born spirit is fled; 
Her wish is accomplished at last, 

And now she's entomb'd with the dead. 
The months of affliction are o'er, 

The days and the nights of distress; 
We see her in anguish no more — 

She's gained her happy release. 

2 No sickness, or sorrow, or pain, 

Shall ever disquiet her now; 
For death to her spirit was gain, 

Since Christ was her life when below. 
Her soul has now taken its flight 

To mansions of glory above, 
To mingle with angels of light, 

And dwell in the kingdom of love* 

3 The victory now is obtain'd; 

She's gone her dear Saviour to see; 



328 AFFLICTIONS AND DEATH. 

Her wishes she fully has gain'd — 
She's now where she longed to be. 

Then let us forbear to complain, 

That she has now gone from our sight; 

We soon shall behold her again. 
With new and redoubled delight. 

"I /L/V HYMN C. M. 

A4m:44: Death of a young person. 

1 When blooming youth is snatch'd away 

By death's resistless hand, 
Our hearts the mournful tribute pay, 
Which pity must demand. 

2 While pity prompts the rising sigh, 

Oh, may this truth, imprest 
With awful pow'r — " I too must die" — 
Sink deep in ev'ry breast. 

3 The voice of this alarming scene 

May ev'ry heart obey; 
Nor be the heav'nly warning vain, 
Which calls to watch and pray. 

4 Oh, let us fly, to Jesus fly, 

Whose pow'rful arm can save; 
Then shall our hopes ascend on high, 
And triumph o'er the grave. 

.g m m HYMN. C. M. 

X4BrO Death and Burial of Christians. 

1 WHY do we mourn departing friends, 

Or shake at death's alarms? 
'Tis but the voice that Jesus sends 
To call them to his arms. 

2 Are we not tending upward too, 

To heav'n's desired abode?— 
W T hy should we wish the hours more slow, 
Which keeps us from our God? 

3 Why should we tremble to convey 

Their bodies to the tomb? 
'Twas there the Saviour's body lay, 
And left a long perfume. 

4 The graves of all his saints he blest, 

And soften'd every bed: 



AFFLICTIONS AND DEATH. 329 

Where should the dying members rest, 
But with their dying Head? 

5 Thence he arose, ascending high, 

And show'd our feet the way: 
Up to the Lord his saints shall fly 
At the great rising day. 

6 Then let the last loud trumpet sound, 

And bid our kindred rise$ 
Awake, ye nations under ground! 
Ye saints! ascend the skies, 

J M x» HYMN. L. M. 

-fl-4ft:l3 The peaceful Death of the Righteous. 

1 SWEET is the scene when Christians die, 

When holy souls retire to rest: 
How mildly beams the closing eye! 
How gently heaves th' expiring breast! 

2 So fades a summer cloud awayj 

So sinks the gale when storms are o'erj 
So gently shuts the eye of day? 
So dies a wave along the shore. 

3 Triumphant smiles the victor's brow, 

Fann'd by some guardian angel's wing: 
O grave! where is thy victory now, 
And where, O death, where is thy stingi 

14:7 HYMN. S.M. 

1 O FOR the death of those 
Who slumber in the Lord! 
O be like theirs my last repose, 
Like theirs my last reward. 
.2 Their bodies, in the ground, 
In silent hope may lie, 
Till the last trumpet's joyful sound 
Shall call them to the sky. 

3 Their ransomed spirits soar 

On wings of faith and love, 

To meet the Saviour they adore, 

And reign with him above. 

4 With us their names shall live 

Through long succeeding years, 
2e2 



330 TIME AND ETERNITY. 

Embalmed with all our hearts can give, 
Our praises and our tears. 
5 O for the death of those 

Who slumber in the Lord! 

O be like theirs my last repose, 
Like theirs my last reward. 



TIME AND ETERNITY. 

~i A & HYMN. C. M. 

_I.4fcc5 Time short and misspent. 

1 HOW short and hasty is our life.' 

How vast our soul's affairs! 
Yet senseless mortals vainly strive 
To lavish out their years. 

2 Our days run thoughtlessly along, 

Without a moment's stay; 
Just like a story, or a song, 
We pass our lives away. 

3 God from on high invites us home, 

But we march heedless on, 
And, ever hastening to the tomb, 
Stoop downward as we run. 

4 How we deserve the deepest hell, 

That slight the joys above! 
What chains of vengeance should we feel, 
That break such cords of love! 

5 Draw us, O God, with sov'reign grace, 

And lift our thoughts on high, 
That we may end this mortal race, 
And see salvation nigh. 

14:9 HYMN. C. M. 

1 THE time is short! — sinners, beware, 

Nor trifle time away: 
The word of great salvation hear, 
While yet 'tis called to-day. 

2 The time is short! — O sinners, now, 

To Christ the Lord submit^ 



TIME AND ETERNITY. 331 

To mercy's golden sceptre bow, 
And fall at Jesus' feet. 

3 The time is short! — ye saints, rejoice — 

The Lord will quickly come: 
Soon shall you hear the Saviour's voice, 
To call you to your home. 

4 The time is short? — it swiftly flies — 

The hour is just at hand, 
When we shall mount above the skies, 
And reach the wished-for land. 

5 The time is short! — the moment near, 

When we shall dwell above; 
And be forever happy there, 
With Jesus, whom we love. 

1 p* jffc HYMN. C. M. 

JLO^-r Time the Period to prepare for Eternity. 

1 THEE we adore, Eternal Name! 

And humbly own to thee 
How feeble is our mortal frame, 
What dying worms are we! 

2 The year rolls round, and steals away 

The breath that first it gave; 
Whate'er we do — where'er we be, 
We 're travelling to the grave. 

3 Great God! on what a slender thread 

Hang everlasting things! 
Th' eternal state of all the dead 
Upon life's feeble strings! 

4 Eternal joy — or endless wo 

Attends on every breath! 
And yet how unconcern'd we go 
Upon the brink of death! 

5 Awake, O Lord, our drowsy sense, 

To walk this dang'rous road; 
And if our souls are hurried hence, 
May they be found with God. 

151 HYMN. L. M. 

1 LIFE is the time to serve the Lord, 
The time t' insure the great reward; 



332 TIME AND ETERNITY. 

And while the lamp holds out to burn, 
The vilest sinner may return. 

2 Life is the hour that God has given 
T' escape from hell, and fly to heaven; 
The day of grace — and mortals may 
Secure the blessings of the day. 

3 Then, what my thoughts design to do, 
My hands, with all your might pursue; 
Since no device, nor work is found, 
Nor faith, nor hope, beneath the ground. 

4 There are no acts of pardon pass'd 
In the cold grave to which we haste; 
But darkness, death, and long despair 
Reign in eternal silence there. 

152 HYMN. S. M. 

1 TO-MORROW, Lord, is thine, 

Lodg'd in thy sov'reign hand; 
And if its sun arise and shine, 
It shines by thy command. 

2 The present moment flies, 

And bears our life away; 
O make thy servants truly wise, 
That they may live to-day. 

3 Since on this fleeting hour 

Eternity is hung, 
Awake, by thine almighty pow'r, 
The aged and the young. 

4 One thing demands our care; 

O! be that still pursu'd! 
Lest, slighted once, the season fair 
Should never be renew'd. 

5 To Jesus may we fly, 

Swift as the morning light, 
Lest life's young, golden beams should die 
In sudden endless night. 

153 HYMN. CM. 

1 SHINE on our souls, eternal God, 
With rays of mercy shine: 



THE JUDGMENT. 333 

O let thy favour crown our clays, 
And all their round be thine. 

2 With thee let every week begin; 

With thee each day be spent; 
To thee each fleeting hour be given, 
Since each by thee is lent. 

3 Thus cheer us through this desert road, 

Till all our labours cease; — 
Till heav'n refresh our weary souls 
With everlasting peace. 

1 V^M HYMN. L. M 

A«L»Tfc Eternity anticipated. 

1 ETERNITY is just at hand, 

And shall I waste my ebbing sand? 
And careless view departing day, 
And throw my inch of time away? 

2 Eternity! — tremendous sound! — 
To guilty souls a dreadful wound! 
But O! if Christ and heav'n be mine, 
How sweet the accents! — how divine! 

3 Be this my chief, my only care — 

My high pursuit — my ardent pray'r — 
An interest in the Saviour's blood, 
My pardon seal'd, and peace with God. 

4 But should my brightest hopes be vain; 
The rising doubts how sharp their pain! 
My fears, O gracious God, remove, 
Confirm my title to thy love. 

5 Search, Lord — O search my inmost heart, 
And light, and hope, and joy impart; 
From guilt and error set me free, 

And guide me safe to heav'n and thee. 



THE JUDGMENT. 

^prpr HYMN. CM. 

JL«3«lP Triumph over Death in Hope of the Resurrection. 

1 GREAT God, I own thy sentence just, 
And nature must decay; 



334 THE JUDGMENT. 

I yield my body to the dust, 
To dwell with fellow clay. 

2 Yet faith may triumph o'er the grave, 

And trample on the tombs; 
My great Redeemer ever lives, 
My God, my Saviour, comes. 

3 The mighty Conqu'ror shall appear, 

High on a royal seat; 
And death, the last of all his foes, 
Lie vanquish'd at his feet. 

4 Then shall I see thy lovely face 

With strong, immortal eyes, 
And feast upon thine unknown grace, 
With pleasure and surprise. 

^ pr gi HYMN. S. M. 

XtlD Hope of the Resurrection. 

1 AND must this body die? 

This mortal frame decay? 
And must these active limbs of mine 
Lie mould'ring in the clay? 

2 God, my Redeemer, lives, 

And frequent from the skies, 
Looks down and watches all my dust, 
Till he shall bid it rise. 

3 Array'd in glorious grace 

Shall these vile bodies shine, 
And ev'ry shape, and ev'ry face 
Look heav'nly and divine. 

4 These lively hopes we owe 

To Jesus' dying love— 
We would adore his grace below, 
And sing his power above. 

5 Accept, O Lord, the praise 

Of these our humble songs, 
Till tunes of nobler sound we raise 
With our immortal tongues. 

157 HYMN. 8's, 7's, and 4's. 

1 LO! he comes, with clouds descending, 
Once for favour'd sinners slain! 



THE JUDGMENT. 335 

Thousand, thousand saints, attending, 
Swell the triumph of his train: 

Hallelujah! 
Jesus comes — and comes to reign. 

2 Every eye shall now behold him, 

Robed in dreadful majesty! 
Those who set at nought and sold him, 
Pierced, and nailed him to the tree, 

Deeply wailing, 
Shall the true Messiah see! 

3 When the solemn trump has sounded, 

Heav'n and earth shall flee away; 
All who hate him must, confounded, 
Hear the summons of that day — 

"Come to judgment! — 
Come to judgment! — come away." 

4 Yea, amen! — let all adore thee, 

High on thine eternal throne ! 
Saviour, take the pow'r and glory: 
Make thy righteous sentence known ! 

O come quickly — 
Claim the kingdom for thine own! 

li§8 HYMN. 7's. 

1 HARK! — that shout of rapt'rous joy, 

Bursting forth from yonder cloud ! 
Jesus comes! — and through the sky, 
Angels tell their joy aloud. 

2 Hark! — the trumpet's awful voice 

Sounds abroad through sea and land; 
Let his people now rejoice! 
Their redemption is at hand. 

5 See! the Lord appears in view; 

Heav'n and earth before him fly ! 
Rise, ye saints, he comes for you — 
Rise to meet him in the sky. 
A Go, and dwell with him above, 
Where no foe can e'er molest; 
Happy in the Saviour's love! 
Eyer blessing, ever blest. 



336 THE JUDGMENT. 

159 HYMN. 8's,7's,and4's. 

1 DAY of judgment — day of wonders! 

Hark !— the trumpet's awful sound, 
Louder than a thousand thunders, 
Shakes the vast creation round! 

How the summons 
Will the sinner's heart confound! 

2 See the Judge our nature wearing, 

Cloth'd in majesty divine! 
You, who long for his appearing, 

Then shall say, "This God is mine!" 

Gracious Saviour, 
Own me in that day for thine! 

3 At his call the dead awaken, 

Rise to life from earth and seaj 
All the powers of nature, shaken 
By his looks, prepare to flee: 

Careless sinner, 
What will then become of thee? 

4 But to those who have confessed, 

Loved and served the Lord below! 
He will say, " Come near, ye blessed, 
See the kingdom I bestow: 

You forever 
Shall my love and glory know." 

1 Ad HYMN. C. M. 

JLOUP Banishment from God intolerable. 

1 THAT awful day will surely come, 

Th' appointed hour makes haste, 
When I must stand before my Jud^e, 
And pass the solemn test. 

2 Thou lovely Chief of all my joys— 

Thou Sov'reign of my heart — 
How could I bear to hear thy voice 
Pronounce the word — " Depart." 

3 O! wretched state of deep despair, 

To see my God remove, 
And fix my doleful station where 
I must not taste his love. 



HEAVEN. 337 



Oh! tell me that my worthless name 
Is graven on thy hands; 
Show me some promise in thy book, 
Where my salvation stands. 



HEAVEN. 

1A1 HYMN. S. M. 

MM3 M. Rest in Heaven. 

1 OH, where shall rest be found, 

Rest for the weary soul! 
'Twere vain the ocean's depths to sound, 
Or search from pole to pole. 

2 The world can never give 

The bliss for which we sigh; 
'Tis not the whole of life to live, 
Nor all of death to die. 

3 Beyond this vale of tears 

There is a life above, 
Unmeasur'd by the flight of years — 
And all that life is love. 

J AO HYMN. C. M. 

JLO^S The Peace and Repose of Heaven. 

1 THERE is an hour of hallow'd peace 

For those with cares opprest, 
Where sighs and sorr'wing tears shall cease, 

And all be hush'd to rest: 
'Tis then the soul is freed from fears 

And doubts which here annoy; 
Then they that oft had sown in tears, 

Shall reap again in joy. 

2 There is a home of sweet repose, 

Where storms assail no more; 
The stream of endless pleasure flows 

On that celestial shore: 
There purity with love appears, 

And bliss without alloy; 
There they that oft had sown in tears, 

Shall reap again in joy. 
2 v 



338 HEAVEN. 

|no HYMN. L. M. 

lO«l The Worship of Heaven. 

1 O FOR a sweet, inspiring ray, 



To animate our feeble strains, 

From the bright realms of endless day, 

The blissful realms, where Jesus reigns. 

2 There, low before his glorious throne, 
Adoring saints and angels fall; 

And with delightful worship own, 

His smile their bliss, their heav'n, their all. 

3 Immortal glories crown his head, 
While tuneful hallelujahs rise, 

And love, and joy, and triumph spread 
Through all th' assemblies of the skies. 

4 He smiles, and seraphs tune their songs 
To boundless rapture, while they gaze: 
Ten thousand, thousand joyful tongues 
Resound his everlasting praise. 

5 There all the foll'wers of the Lamb 
Shall join at last the heav'nly choir; 
O may the joy-inspiring theme 
Awake our faith and warm desire! 

6 Dear Saviour, let thy spirit seal 
Our int'rest in that blissful place; 
Till death remove this mortal veil, 
And we behold thy lovely face. 

~ff£/l HYMN. 8'sand6's. 

JLOtc The Everlasting Bliss of Heaven. 

1 HEAV'N is the land where troubles cease, 

Where toils and tears are o'er; 
The blissful clime of rest and peace, 

Where cares distract no more, 
And not the shadow of distress 
Dims its unsullied blessedness. 

2 Heav'n is the place where Jesus lives, 

To plead his dying blood; 
While, to his pray'rs, his Father gives 

An unknown multitude, 
Whose harps and tongues, through endless days 
Shall crown his head with songs of praise. 






HEAVEN. 339 

3 Heav'n is the dwelling place of joy, 

The home of light and love, 
Where faith and hope in rapture die, 

And ransom'd souls above 
Enjoy, before th' eternal throne, 
Bliss everlasting and unknown. 

165 HYMN. CM. 

1 WHEN I can read my title clear 

To mansions in the skies, 
I bid farewell to every fear, 
And wipe my weeping eyes. 

2 Should earth against my soul engage, 

And hellish darts be hurl'd, 

Then I can smile at Satan's rage, 

And face a frowning world. 

3 Let cares like a wild deluge come, 

And storms of sorrow fall; 
May I but safely reach my home, 
My God, my heav'n, my all: 

4 There shall I bathe my weary soul 

In seas of heav'nly rest, 
And not a wave of trouble roll 
Across my peaceful breast. 

166 HYMN. CM. 

1 THERE is a land of pure delight, 

Where saints immortal reign ; 
Infinite day excludes the night, 
And pleasures banish pain. 

2 There everlasting spring abides, 

And never with'ring flow'rs; 
Death, like a narrow sea, divides 
This heav'nly land from ours. 

3 Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood, 

Stand dress'd in living green; 

So to the Jews old Canaan stood, 

While Jordan roll'd between. 

4 But tim'rous mortals start and shrink, 

To cross this narrow sea; 



340 HEAVEN. 

And linger, shiv'ring on the brink. 
And fear to launch away. 

5 O! could we make our doubts remove, 

Those gloomy doubts that rise, 
And see the Canaan that we love 
With unbeclouded eyes! 

6 Could we but climb where Moses stood, 

And view the landscape o'er, 
Not Jordan's stream, nor death's cold flood, 
Should fright us from the shore. 

"1 &*I HYMN. 8's and 6's. 

lU 4 The Peace and Rest of Heaven. 

1 THERE is an hour of peaceful rest, 

To mourning wand'rers giv'n; 
There is a joy for souls distress'd, 
A balm for ev'ry wounded breast— 

'Tis found above — in heav'n. 

2 There is a home for weary souls, 

By sin and sorrow driv'n, 
When toss'd on life's tempestuous shoals, 
Where storms arise, and ocean rolls, 

And all is drear but heav'n. 

3 There faith lifts up her cheerful eye, 

To brighter prospects giv'nj 
And views the tempest passing by, 
The ev'ning shadows quickly fly, 

And all serene in heav'n! 

4 There, fragrant flow'rs immortal, bloom, 

And joys supreme are giv'n: 
There, rays divine disperse the gloom; — 
Beyond the confines of the tomb, 

Appears the dawn of heav'n ! 



THE END. 



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